What to do with "stuff" when diving...

[dmaziuk]

On 2nd thought, I might add one of these to a spamazon order to get free shipping... or spend whooping twenty bucks for a padlock version:
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-...=B0014EERFA&psc=1&refRID=W6TQRGKBF0EQTA5T8DXE

 

[uncfnp]

Well, until I started going to Bonaire, neither had I seen anything like it. Trust me though, with my rentals, there has always been a fob (small, round and pretty flat- similar to what people in high rise urban apartments use to swipe a wall mounted pad to enter through a door or access certain floors on an elevator) PLUS a metal key. Both items are required in order to start the truck. If you stick the key in the ignition without swiping the fob over the ignition just prior, the truck will not turnover and start. They have done something electronically that requires the fob to be swiped prior to starting the truck.

As an example, here is a photo of my fob for my condo complex. It is very similar to the fobs used by Avis and Budget on Bonaire-- in combo with the flat metal ignition key.

View attachment 492833

One trip several years ago we encountered this. What a hassle! We ended up duct taping the fob out of site but close enough to start the engine and taking the key with us. Thankfully we had never seen this before nor since.

 

[Rred]

That's a good idea, but what kind of dive light that can fit PLB1 (3"x2"X1.5")?

Dan-
An old Ikelite, or any similar vintage 1980's dive light. A lot of the Ikelites that use an "F" cell (6v lantern) battery would certainly hold that, once you removed the bulb assembly. You'd want to check the X-ring or o-ring seal on the power switch though, they're due for replacement by now.(G)

 

[Rred]

I would be afraid of the possibility of someone hiding in the bushes, watching.

Yup. Even in shopping malls, there are crooks WATCHING constantly to see if anyone moves things to their trunk, or stashes things. If you're going to stash something under your bumper or in the wheel well...You've got to stash it before you reach the parking area, or it is only "half stashed".

 

[Rred]

One trip several years ago we encountered this. What a hassle! We ended up duct taping the fob out of site but close enough to start the engine and taking the key with us. Thankfully we had never seen this before nor since.

I have left a fob buried in the locked car, while just taking the "emergency key" that can open the doors with me. But I think especially if I was stashing the fob someplace where it could be reached, I'd also take a minute to pull the battery and either stash that separately, or maybe slap some duct tape over it (the battery) and take it diving anyway. If someone gets the fob and it doesn't work...I don't think they'll bother looking for batteries.(G)

 

[Rred]

"• Would a thief really steal prescription sunglasses?"
Brand name frames can cost an easy $200+, so off the back of a truck that's a fast twenty bucks.

"NRS Aquapac Keymaster - 608" good down to 15 feet.

"S3 T2000 Watertight Dry Case" I think S3 are the folks who bought the Otterbox molds. S3 says 80', Otterbox said 90-100', both for limited times. I use an Otterbox for beach and boating, but I've got limited confidence in the big rectangular o-ring for something like a $400 car key fob. Oh yes, a fast $400, because you need to replace it, reprogram the car, do an entire dance.

When "underwater camera" meant Nikonos and there were few options, I used a small peanut butter jar (heavy glass, nice rubber on the bottom of the lid) as the dive container for my light meter. Added some silicone seal as insurance, but that PB jar never complained, never leaked. I might have to try taking one down again, without the silicone seal.

 

[uncfnp]

I have left a fob buried in the locked car, while just taking the "emergency key" that can open the doors with me. But I think especially if I was stashing the fob someplace where it could be reached, I'd also take a minute to pull the battery and either stash that separately, or maybe slap some duct tape over it (the battery) and take it diving anyway. If someone gets the fob and it doesn't work...I don't think they'll bother looking for batteries.(G)

In this case the fob alone would not start the car. They would still need the key that we took with use diving.

 

[Sue Sue]

Husband & I use a Hard case Waterproof Container (Get the larger one the size of a Ciggy Pack) for truck keys, Cash, CC, Dan Card and Photo ID/Drivers License. I hang it around my neck and tuck it under my wetsuit. In addition if your sunglasses or any other larger possessions are sacred, a Fanny Pack either belted around your waist or even strapped on your tank works well. My suggestion is to acquire a few pairs of cheap sunglasses, a couple of old T-Shirts/ coverups and a couple of pair of cheap flip flops. If someone feels they are entitled to property that is not theirs then at least it would not be a very big loss. USUALLY ....these cheap items are not disturbed as well as snacks or water bottles. We usually pack sandwiches and treats for the surface interval snack and keep them in the truck. However, I do place the bag in a certain way on the floor of the back seat and make sure it was not disturbed before eating it...(Yes...I guess I am a tad bit paranoid ) ... I do the same with the frozen bottles of water we take along to drink. We leave the bottles of after dive Shower water on top of the tanks in order to have a wonderful warm water rinse ready and waiting. Overall...DO NOT lock doors or leave your windows UP while at ANY Dive site !

 

[gajahduduk]

How about a mesh wet bag? Y'all take one of those and leave it empty in the truck? Hard to see carting a bunch of dive gear – especially small stuff – without any container. Solution?

 

[gbf]

How about a mesh wet bag? Y'all take one of those and leave it empty in the truck? Hard to see carting a bunch of dive gear – especially small stuff – without any container. Solution?

Mesh bag is too much trouble for me. I've seen people use a clothes basket or plastic box, but we just put it all in the bed of the truck.

Where we stay we back up to the rinse tank/drying rack, about 15 steps from truck to rack. Later, after everything is dry, and if I haven't fallen into the beer bucket, I move everything about 15 steps to the gear room. Then directly from gear room (about 3 steps) into the back of the truck in the AM.

I do have a small zip bag (a freebie from CVS that was for first aid stuff) that I use for computers/gauges just to keep them rounded up in one place.