Otterbox lost at So. Monastery

[mattaphore]

*sigh* I lost a small transparent otterbox while diving South Monastery on Saturday (10/22). Inside, there's a small pen and a Volkswagen valet key

I was running search pattern drills with a class in the sandy part of So. Monastery, fairly close to shore, and I think it came out of my BCD pocket while taking out my slate. On Sunday (10/23) I surveyed the debris that was washed up on the shore but no luck finding the box...

Lessons learned:
- If I use my BCD pockets, I'm only going to store one item per pocket. I'll use clips brass snaps for the necessary items and I'll try not to be a Christmas Tree Diver.
- Get a non-electronic key and put it on a split ring.

 

[g1138]

Aww, that's a bummer. I assume the box was positively buoyant? I was skin diving S. Monastery w/ the Basic & Rescue class yesterday and we didn't see anything in or under the kelp. I did find a plastic bag and a soda bottle filled with either tea or something else.......

To prevent this from occurring again I have a few suggestions.
If you have a grommet drain hole you can tie a bungee loop to clip things off to the inside of your pocket. Just tie two knots in the bungee loop on either side of the drain hole. Use double-enders to clip off your items.

Other than that you could also Masterlock a key to the tow hook of your car. Just remember to thoroughly rinse the Masterlock inside and out if you intend to use it again. And don't forget to solder/seal the split ring that's on your key.

 

[Akimbo]

*sigh* I lost a small transparent otterbox while diving South Monastery on Saturday (10/22). Inside, there's a small pen and a Volkswagen valet key …

Did you have a phone number or some other contact info in the box? I/we forgot a watertite box on the beach full of three sets of Abalone tags, fishing licenses, a credit card, a little cash and a drivers license. By the time we figured it out and drove back to be beach the tide was high and the area we left it was underwater. The next day I got a call from a visiting diver telling me he found it and everything was there (and dry). There are a lot of good souls in the world so don’t lose hope.

…- Get a non-electronic key and put it on a split ring.

Another option if that is difficult to get a key cut for your vehicle is a key lock box. Most vehicles have heavy tie-down eyes just under the bumpers.

Amazon.com: Master Lock 5400D Select Access Key Storage Box with Set-Your-Own Combination Lock, 1-Pack: Home Improvement

 

[mattaphore]

Thanks for the tips I'll be sure to seal the split ring if I go that route, or I might go with a lock box.

I was dumb and I didn't put any contact info on my otterbox. Usually I store my abalone tags and cert-cards and DAN cards all in there, but right before the dive, I put them all in my glove compartment. Thankfully the spare key, box, and pen were the only things that went missing.