Re: [Paddlewise] dry bags/cell phones/gear

At 10:50 AM 3/2/98 -5, you wrote:
>I have a Deck Bag converted from a Costco fanny pack, which has a 
>"dry" compartment. I simply place my cell phone in a Glad Bag and 
>stuff it in the deck bag when I need it. There are dry bags made 
>specifically for cell phones which cost around $30.
>
>cya
>
>> The second question I have was generated by the discussion concerning cell
>> phones, radios, etc.  I have a cellular phone that stays in my truck.  I'd
>> like to take it with me when I paddle, but I've always been concerned about
>> keeping it dry.  My hatches do get damp when I paddle in sloppy conditions
>> and I pack stuff in dry bags, but I've seen them leak also.  What would be
>> safe, dry storage for a cellular phone?
>> 
>> 
>Bob Denton

        Both my VHF radio and my GPS unit are certified water proof. I still
keep them in Aquapac cases which are specifically designed to keep
electronic gear dry. The Aquapac allows the units to be used while in the
bag. The bags run about $25 each, and the one for my GPS unit floats. I'm
assuming that my radio bag might float with a bit of air sealed in it.
Aquapac bags have lanyards for attaching to your PFD. 

        I'd be hesitant to rely on a converted fanny pack from Costco as a
waterproof deck bag. It's probably designed to stay dry in rain, but not for
"swimming." I sprung for a Mark Pack Works deck bag which is designed to be
waterproof in most applications, but it won't seal out all the moisture if
submerged for a long period. So the stuff in the bag is waterPROOF. 

        There's three basic measures I take with anything on the boat that's
not stowed in one of the hatches: 

1) It's waterPROOF. . . not just moisture resistant--as in it's OK to take
it swimming in salt water.

2) It floats if I can get it. I check my gear to ensure that it floats.
Aquapac will get some stuff to float that would normally sink. If you use
the Aquapac one time, it's paid for itself. 

3) If it doesn't float, it's tied to me or the boat. Stuff tied to me fits
in the PFD and I can swim/stay afloat with it (radios, flares, extra
compass, boat knife, watch). All your emergency signal gear and radio/cell
phone should be on your person in case you get separated from the boat in a
capsize. 

        Waterproof hatches condense moisture inside them. So waterproof stow
bags are the way to go for sleeping bags, food, and clothing. I expect
equipment stowed in the hatches to get damp. . . like tents, tarps, cooking
gear. Hatches are not accessible on the water, and a poor place to stow
emergency signal gear. 

        A cell phone stowed in a hatch is not going to be very useful if you
capsize and get separated from the boat. Similarly, a cell phone wrapped in
a Glad Bag and stowed in a deck bag is not going to work very well when
you're bobbing in high seas, separated from your boat and need to place a
call. . . 

        This post got long-winded, but the topic of carrying emergency
rescue signal equipment needs to be thought out and systematic. . . before
the need arises. 

        Geo. 

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