Using iPhone when wet?

[Bulky]

Appreciated the recent thread about leash use after the tragedy in the Gorge.  I should also mention that it appeared that just about every pro at PPG was wearing a leash--good to see.

For my usual conditions, I feel that my essential safety kit for ocean paddles includes a leash and iPhone (in a LifeProof case inside a dry bag for double protection).  If I'm secured to my board and have a means to make contact with first responders, I think I'm reasonably protected against most of what might befall me.

I was practicing buoy turns recently at the end of my paddle and came out of the ocean soaking wet.  Only then did I realize that using the iPhone was difficult if not impossible.  With my wet clammy fingers, I couldn't swipe the screen to unlock.  Since every part of my body was wet, there was nothing to dry off on.  Happened to stop a beach comber walking by who helped me out with his dry hands.

This has me re-thinking my safety plan as, while it still would be a rare occurrence to have to call for help there would be a relatively high likelihood that I would be really wet when needing to do so--with no means to dry off out on the board.

Any thoughts or tricks on how to get the touchscreen to reliably respond when wet?

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

water proof post to  de lorme in-reach.
  after all  what is the value you would place on  your life?  would you spend 1000 to keep your self alive? sure any of us would so  a spot  or a delorme is a bargain
think this way  your out and a catastrophe  befalls you; storm, shark,  run down  by a boat etc. . trying to fail 911  on an iPhone in the water  and then explain where you are might be tough.  but with a  locator and an immediate  response   better chances.

That would be my choice   plus if you do any other things like backpacking off roading  etc. you can use it there  too.

Just my thought fwiw

[coldsup]

Small waterproof VHF radio.....if you are heading out to sea.

[hbsteve]

Start by having your phone unlocked.  Yes my phone is locked on land.  But, on the water you want quick access.  Second know who you will call in any given area, have that contact and number in your phone, ready to access and call.
Most cell phone 911 calls go to the nearest sheriff call center.  AS mentioned above, the operator may not know what you are talking about.  In Newport Beach, I asked the Harbor Patrol who to call.  The said call this office, here is the number, someone is here 24/7.

[PonoBill]

IMHO an iPhone is a better tool in many cases than SPOT or VHF. I have VHF radios and it always takes some fiddling to connect to someone. I confess I haven't tried any kind of emergency call, but how would I? The Coasties aren't thrilled with individuals testing their preparedness. Also you don't have precise location information with VHF, just whatever you can tell the operator.

I set my iPhone up to be unlocked, and the lifeguards are on the speed dial--#1--in Maui. Might take a couple of tries with wet hands, but just shaking the excess water off your fingers usually works. I use a lifeproof Nuud case with a waterproof bag what has a magnetic closure. Works very well. Doesn't demagnetize credit cards (surprising that it doesn't).

In Hood River I'm set up to speed dial the Hood River police.

I also have the compass application on the first page. The compass app gives your precise lat/long location at the bottom of the page. Read that off to the emergency responders and they know where you are within a few yards. I'm currently at 45 42' 27" N  121 31' 8" W

[Off-Shore]

I have found this problem and use the Lifeproof case inside a flexible waterproof phone pouch. I have found that some waterproof pouches work better than others when wet. Always try it out in the sea or water you paddle in with WET hands. If this still worries you I'd recommend getting a second push button phone. I use an old blackberry as a backup phone but I like having Google Maps to figure out where I am..

I also strongly suggest unlocking the phone and having whatever emergency number you need on your speed dial. For us it is the Marine Police.

I also carry a PLB when off shore. All I have to do is flip up the antenna and it connects to the closest emergency service by satellite also relaying my position anywhere in the world. I have to register this with the local authorities and have just renewed my annual fee which is approx USD10.

[Bulky]

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, I always have it unlocked but even the swipe to open it can be temperamental at times.  I figure I'll eventually be able to get it but was wondering if anyone knew any tricks if I wanted to do it quickly.  I might just start stuffing a dry paper towel in the pouch with it.  For where I'm at on my morning paddles, I think VHF or PLBs and the like are overkill (but definitely something I'd take on a longer journey).

Good tip to think about what numbers would be good to have on speed dial since I think in our area the 911call center is staffed by CHP.  I'll ask the ranger in the park where I launch what he recommends.  If I ever need someone to come rescue me, assuming I'm able to make a phone call, I also should be able to tell the closest point to launch the jetski from.

[PabstSUP]

After reading through a similar thread a while back I bought a Marine VHF radio that is waterproof, floats and has bluetooth connectivity (cobra marine hh500).  It connects via bluetooth to my iPhone and is pretty simple to use.  I keep my iPhone in my pack in a waterproof case couple times while on downwind runs in Long Island.  I also went to a VHF radio class last month while at the Newport boat show that was pretty insightful in terms of how to run radio checks before heading out.  Correct that the Coast Guard won't want people to use emergency channels for checks but your local marina usually monitors a channel and will confirm it's working.  One thing to note is that handheld VHF radios have a limited range (<5mi) and possibly less when at water level (VHF working on line of sight) so off-shore's PLB suggestion is a good one if all else fails. 

[Bulky]

That's good to know about range on VHF.  That would be an issue.  I'm about 13mi from a marina and at the hour I'm paddling there's only a few boats around--there'd only be a slim chance that there would be someone within 5mi monitoring. 

As I said in the OP, this is in fact a safety net for some very extreme emergencies.  I have a pretty consistent iPhone signal and am usually no more than a mile from a well-populated shore.  As remote a chance there would be of someone needing to get me, it's more likely that I would need to rely on myself to get to shore.  Even if I called for help, realistically it would still be 45-60min before someone got to me (no active guard station nearby where there are jetskis sitting ready).  The fire dept or lifeguards would have to trailer one to the beach and launch.  I'd get to safety much quicker paddling on my stomach--that's why a leash is non-negotiable.  As long as I'm with the board, and I don't paddle in conditions where there's a danger of getting blown out to sea, I feel like I have adequate protection against most non-freakish events.  Just nice to have one added layer of protection in case I need help or encounter someone that does.

[PonoBill]

For an iPhone:

In settings, set Autolock to Never. To get the the main screen, double click the button--no swiping necessary.

You can put the emergency numbers in the favorites (press the star in the bottom left of the call screen) and then call by pressing star, and then the emergency service name.

[hbsteve]

Even if there is a boat within line of site, they also have to be monitoring the radio.

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

ok so picture this
dial 911
911: " what is your emergency?"
Bulky: "I am being attacked by a shark "
911: " what is your address?"
Bulky:" I am in the ocean, 1 mile off santa Barbara beacH"
911: "Ocean ave  in santa  barbara?"
Bulky "no 1mile off shore"
911: " 1 ocean avenue or 1 Mile drive?"
Bulky "  oh forget it the shark  just chomped the board and left"
911: "do you wan time to send a  patrol unit?"
911: " what address is that?"

I guess I would wonder who  would you get to?  maybe the coast guard

This is the coast guard please press 1 for english 2 for spanish  3 for  german 4 for french 5 for chinese >>>>>>>>>Our offices are closed until 8 am.......
I think this is case for redundancy  use a de lore and and I phone

[PonoBill]

Central to the plan is knowing what number to call and how they will respond.

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

so how do you know that?  is there a coastguard rescue # ? 911 i don't think will cut it. life guards?  not in winter in so cal.  Are lifeuards equipped to find you via gps  form your phone.  Overall  I think  you ought to have both.  IMHO  but maybe I 'm wrong. Can Batman swim?

[hbsteve]

Go ask each agency that might be involved.  Sometimes I like to paddle from Newport pier toward 56th street.  Sure, this time of year there aren't guards in the towers during the week days.  But, the headquarters is still open.
Here is a kind of fun example.  This happened during a time when there was a guard at Blackies.  When I saw the conditions, I want to launch from Blackies to paddle.  I was worried that I might finish after the blackball went up (no surfboards). So, getting in could be a little crazy.  I called the headquarters.  The lady said the guards would help if I needed a path cleared.  But, if I could call just before I wanted to come in, that would really help and they would notify the guard in the tower.  It was so uncrowded, this was not an issue.
Dana Point Harbor Patrol, while still part of the O.C. Sheriff Department has its own phone #, separate from Newport.  Huntington City and State, Newport and San Clemente all have lifeguards on staff all year long.
Go ask.