discovered a flaw in my EDC

Last week, I discovered a flaw in my EDC - in fact, 2 related flaws.

I was down at "the house of the mouse" (aka Disneyworld) when I went to soak my feet in the hot tub as I was walking by. I overbalanced, and fell in - head first, fully clothed!! (Yes, I'm OK - did a REAL good impression of Chevy Chase)

What did I discover?
1) My cell Phone is not waterproof at all (duh) - this is hard to fix as Verizon doesn't offer any water resistant models

2) My PSK was/is not very waterproof - a buch of wrecked badaides and the like.

So - anyone have either a GOOD waterproof container around the size of an Altoids tin - (prefer a TAD bigger) and/or a good way to waterproof the kit?

I keep everything in my PSK, Mini FAK, Large FAK, Most of the contents of my Small BOB, Cell Phone and Digital Camera in Aloksak bags. NASDS certified these bags as waterproof to depths exceeding 60 meters (196.85 feet) and under constant pressure of 200 SFW for two weeks without leaks. Though if I ever find myself in water that deep, I probably won't have to worry about the contents of what I happen to have on me being waterproof. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Aloksak bags are fairly pricey starting at $4.99 for three 5" x 4" bags and they may be larger than what you want, though you can roll up the unused portion opposite the seal and put a rubber band around it all.

Another option is the Witz Keep-it-Clear or Keep-it-Safe line of waterproof containers. They're about 2.7" x 4.3" x 1.3". I have one of my many PSKs in one of these cases. They're solid. I tested one by standing on it in the bathtub (partial weight), and the seal didn't break, though if I'd put my full body weight on it and squirmed around a bit I bet I could get it to fail. LOL The latch on these bother me because they stick out from the side, and could get caught on something causing the lid to open.

Otterbox makes a few small cases as well. I had yet another PSK in a Otterbox 1000, but my problem with them is that they're so sturdily made with thick walls that you loose a lot of space in the bulk of the material.

Pelican is another company that makes great waterproof cases, but like otterbox, the plastic is thick and it makes their smaller cases seem very bulky.

The latches on both Pelican and Otterbox products are solid and not prone to opening up unless you really intend to do so. However, once again, both are probably larger than what you're looking for. The smallest of these start at about the size of two Altoids tins stacked plus a good inch added to the width with internal space a little larger than one tin. You could probably drive a small car over either of the small cases these companies make and it would hold up. Don't quote me on that last part though... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

There're are a lot of other options out there beyond these as well. Check out various Outdoor Sports Stores and Boating Stores and your bound to run across more than a few. I found a bunch last week in REI in the Camping and also the Kayaking sections of the store.

No need to reply for me, Nicodermus said it all! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

The waterproof bags work FINE for what is in my EDC pack - and yeah, everything is backed up there. I'm NOT worrying about what's in my pack

As for the otterbox and pelican boxes. Those I know about, but as you said, a BIT too large for "shirt pocket carry".

What is really needed is a box that can be SLIGHTLY bigger than an altoids tin, but waterproof.

I've bever actually seen one of the old Military "decon" kit cases - I've heard they MIGHT me around the correct size...

waterproof bags

www.aquapac.net
I have been well pleased with many of these products, in various sizes and attachment configurations. My PSK rides under my shirt on a neck lanyard..
...since I proved you can't stand up and juggle snakes in a canoe. Or at least I couldn't.

have to figure a way to get rid of the 1/8" plug....

sigh

I found some cases just kike those, without the holes, at a dollar store. Clear plastic with a pink (ouch) hinge and latch. Not the strongest things in the world, but after some very unofficial testing, they will keep things dry if they don't go toooo deep, and not tooo much weight is placed on them. They are a little larger overall than an Altiods can, and seem to hold a little more, altho I feel that they are a little harder to pack, since you are packing from one end.

I personally like just putting bandaids and such in a snack sized ziploc bag. Makes stuffing the kit a little harder, but keeps things dry.

I am going to experiment with using that black rubber tape that electricians use on outside connections (this stuff is backed with a strip of blue plastic on the roll, you peel it off as you go, the rubber tape then somehow bonds to itself) to wrap the outside edges or maybe the whole thing) of an Altoids can and see if that make it more waterproof...

I went through something similar fairly recently. I carry a Fatboy Jumbo as an EDC. While swimming the dogs (I'm wading), the buckle on my strap came undone and the Fatboy plopped into the water.

Then, a week or two later the exact same thing happened at the same place! Talk about slow learner!

While my FAK is in a Pelican case, it highlighed that I hadn't been serious enough about waterproofing.

Now, I use a drybag as a liner for the main compartment.

Oh, and I'm going to put a bolt through that @#~@@ quick release buckle...

-john

I have a couple of the Witz boxes to hold some of my stuff. They aren't as strong as Pelican or Otterbox, but they're good enough without being too overkill. I modified the latches on mine to make it harder to accidentally open. All you need is a lighter and a sharp knife. Heat up the latch until it's pliable and bend it flat, then shave off a bit on the backside to allow it to latch more securly. Where before I would sometimes find it unlatched in my bag, since I've done that I've never had a problem with it opening accidentally.

BTW, I think that Lillipod is just a Witz case with a headphone jack. Has the exact same latch, and looks identical.

What I've done to waterproof my altoids tin has been to put a ranger band around it as a seal. It was a little tricky to get on, but now all I need to do is fold it down to open the tin, and fold it back up when it's closed again.

It looks great, holds it closed tightly, makes it waterproof, and can be useful in a pinch.

resource link:

http://www.aquapac.net/

Of course you could use rubbermaid boxes to keep out dust and drips...not 'underwater' water proof, but will keep the rain out.

Teacher

I go the route of small zipper bags for those things that need it The rest I can dry out. At local fairs and flea markets there is usually one or more dealers of knick knacks that sell assorted sizes of the Zip Loc Type baggies. From about 1 inch square These are great for a half dozen to a dozen coated cotton balls. Also keeps the kit clean. There are 2x2's 2x3's 2x4's etc. to about 6x6's. You get about a hundred for a couple of bucks. As the size increases the quantity goes down to keep the price per bundle about the same. Many places use them as small parts bags. For $20 you could probably get a lifetime supply of assorted sizes if you can find one of these dealers.

These things won't stand up to being stepped on or much of anything else. But they will keep things that need to stay dry in a kit dry. Especially if it is a quick or shallow dip.They keep my vonerable items dry even if the kit is soaked through. If you are into scuba they make specialty products for that.

For the phone I have no idea as I don't own one.

Ziploc freezer bags. Or for that size, I use some small pill storage bags from Walgreens. I keep one Altoids tin sealed with a wrap of electrical tape. That's not completely water-tight, but it would survive a quick dunk. It also makes it harder to raid the contents if I don't really need to.

The Witz and other brand wallet-sized waterproof boxes are available at any boat equipment store. Oddly enough, Disneyworld resorts sell them in their gift shops and pool-side dining areas. It's like they knew you were coming.

All these suggestions involving ziploc bags I think will get holes worn through them from pocket carry pretty quickly. I'd look for ways to seal the Altoids tin, e.g. with candle wax, or tape around it with clear lacquer over the tape. That assumes that it's only for emergency use, since once you open it, it's no longer waterproof. A narrow piece of large-diameter heat shrink tubing would be preferable to tape, I guess.

You know, I never thought of looking in the gift shop (mutter mutter) (I was at Animal Kingdom Lodge BTW)

Sealing the tin itself is an idea, but with the hinges and the like might be a tad hard, and I'm of the school "the kit is meant to be used", not the "don't use unless emergency" school

A friend of mine also had found a mini Pelican case. I looked as though it could hold a small spiral bound memo book.

I've looked at all the Pelican cases etc - right now, I'm thinking of modifying a Plano case - but the one I have is too large AND not water tight

There seems to be a set of watertight plano cases sold (Model 1060), but of course, the 4 stores I tried this weekend did NOT have them

Anyone have one/tried one?

Water. My nemesis.

First, once again, let me introduce you to Tracfone. My trusty Nokia 1100 has been through the wash. All the way through. As in found and recovered in the final spin cycle, dried over the hearth for 24 hours and back in service. They don't advertise that it's waterproof, and technically, it probobly isn't, but hey, that' smy story.
I carry my phone wrapped in a layer of plastic wrap. It's hardly noticeable and you get perfectly fine audio through the plastic, and rain resistance to boot.

The next thing is zip-lock bags. Good for a quick dunk, not good for fording a river. I ALWAYS keep my FAK elements in a zip-lock, no matter what.

Finally, look into a watch by the Dakota Watch Company. They come in these mini-plastic cases that are sort of like mini-pelican cases. They aren't ultra durable, but they are good for small electronics.