One thing to keep with you would be swim goggles in regular or prescription versions. For those of us who wear glasses, you can get goggles in standard diopters to closely approximate your Rx.

As most Rx goggles come in .5 diopter increments, if you have eyes that differ by more than 1.0 or so, you can get two pairs of different diopters and swap lenses to make two more exact pairs, each with a much closer Rx to your individual eyes instead of just one that's a comprimise between the two diopters. To tell each lens apart you can subtly mark one as R or L or do what I do and have the logo on the nosepiece right side up in the correct lens orientation.

In Rx or non, these can serve as emergency specs if your glasses were to break as well as aiding navigation through smoke and other such eye irritants.

Plus, I've taken them on numerous backcountry trips and always found a reason to check out bodies of water using them.

These are only a few possible suggestions for a useful, light and only slightly bulky item. Anyone else carry a pair or have other ideas for usage?

Great idea! I think you can also just get the goggles made up with different diopters for each eye.

Check out this Thread from a couple months back discussing eye and respiratory protection.

<img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Ack! I missed the thread. I plead 17 month old toddler as a defense.

Yes, you can get custom goggles with lenses delivered in different diopters, but if you mix and match, you can get *two* $20 of the shelf pairs for what one custom Rx pair of goggles usually costs.

Plus you can actually find some Rx brands like Speedo on the shelf in sporting goods stores, no waiting to order custom. Also try stores, including bike shops, that cater to triathletes- they often have lots of specialized swim gear.

Also,-a Further Reason for Continueing to Carry the Now "Useless",Broken Glasses with you,-is the Possibility that you may Later somehow be Able to "Glue or Etc.",-the Pieces back Together,-(Much Better of course.-if there Aren't Too Many of Them!),-for Furthur Survival / Emergency,-"Vision Purposes,-Until you Get Back Out into "The World"! -Also,-Likely Depending on the Actual Glass and How It has Broke,-There could be Firestarting Applications and Possibilities here. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]kayak[/email]

I have two pairs of prescription swim googles. One is my old prescription which I can see ok with, those are in my truck. My good pair stays in my backpack.