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. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 11:31 AM 3/2/98 -0800, you wrote: >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. I saved my $250 GPS last weekend and was soooo glad I had spent the $19.00 on a waterproof case that added bouyancy. We were about to practice rolls in heavy surf/clapotis, I reached around and put my sunglasses in the day hatch then started rolling away. A few minutes later Jeanne said "hey, what's that floating by over there"? Sure enough, the GPS was bobbing along............saved by the bag! Robert -- Orlando, Fl ________________________________________________________ Robert Starling Member ASMP / APSG Robert Starling Photography, Inc. Orlando, Florida Phone 407 521-0041 Fax 407 521-0031 http://www.starling.com NetGuide Magazine Internet Site Of The Day *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Do you the blue case from West Marine? cya > > I saved my $250 GPS last weekend and was soooo glad I had spent the $19.00 > on a waterproof case that added bouyancy. > > We were about to practice rolls in heavy surf/clapotis, I reached around and > put my sunglasses in the day hatch then started rolling away. A few minutes > later Jeanne said "hey, what's that floating by over there"? Sure enough, > the GPS was bobbing along............saved by the bag! > > Robert -- Orlando, Fl > > ________________________________________________________ > Robert Starling Member ASMP / APSG > Robert Starling Photography, Inc. > Orlando, Florida > > Phone 407 521-0041 Fax 407 521-0031 > > http://www.starling.com NetGuide Magazine Internet Site Of The Day > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** > > Bob Denton Vice President Undersea Breathing Systems bob_at_dnax.com http://www.dnax.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
A few points on your response: 1. The $16 Costco fannypack is as nice as any expensive deck bag I've seen. It's ideal for Florida conditions as it has slots for 2 water bottles (or a VHF and 1 Bottle) , a mesh pocket, a wet pocket and a dry pocket. The dry is actually a dryish pocket, as it's not claimed to be anything more then a fanny pack. I've rigged it so it clips onto the bungee pad eyes and goes on an off on either boat in a few seconds. 2. I wouldn't take the cell phone out in severe conditions w/o a real dry bag, but I've test dunked the baggy and it does keep the phone dry and it would work well in the case of an emergency. Try it. For double security use 2 Glad Bags. cya > 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. > 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: > > 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. Bob Denton Vice President Undersea Breathing Systems bob_at_dnax.com http://www.dnax.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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