Re: [Paddlewise] Drying Electronics

On 10/8/07, Gary J. MacDonald <garyj_at_rogers.com> wrote:
>
> This morning a teenager on an outing with us fell in - unexpectedly -
> while climbing on a rock.
> Like any good city kid he had phone, (no service there, as if that
> mattered) MP3 player, and "Mom's new camera" in his pockets.


<snip>

What is the best "Second Aid" for this stuff, four hours later?


If it was fresh water that he fell into there may still be hope. If it was
salt water, then there probably is no hope left by now but it's still worth
a try.

If the devices fell into salt water and do not work and you think there is
no hope of them working you can try this procedure. Nothing is guaranteed.
Generally, fresh water does not harm electronics, especially if they have
not been turned on while wet. Remove all batteries and place the device into
distilled (or, failing that, clean mineral-free fresh) water. Swish it
around, change the water, swish it around again. Don't just put it in and
leave it. When you think you've managed to replace the salt water with fresh
water, then you're ready to dry the device.

I have used an oven at lowest possible heat with the oven door open and the
device on the highest shelf (farthest away from the flame/element);
alternately in the oven for an hour and then out of the oven to cool (and
let the water evaporate), then back into the oven, then out. Let it sit for
a few days, replace the batteries, cross your fingers, and turn it on.

I've given up hope on a drenched device only to have it spring to life some
weeks later after sitting in a low humidity atmosphere.

If the device fell into fresh water you can do the same thing but you don't
have to worry about removing salt water. A good swish in fresh water to
clean out any dirt particles is probably a good idea.

Again, no guarantees but if you've lost all hope, it's worth a try.


Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA
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