Where to put your car keys when you're detecting in the water

[Crunchyhippo]

I made a costly mistake a few weeks ago by putting my electronic keyfob/car keys in my booty bag around my waist, which I thought was water proof after it was zipped up. Turns out it wasn't, and my keyfob got wet enough that it stopped working. I couldn't crank my car and I was stranded. I had to get my wife to bring my spare one out to me so I could get home, which she understandably wasn't happy about.

I went online and found a great plastic, pouch holder for keyfobs that seals airtight, which did the trick. So, last weekend I went detecting again and had my pouch in my pocket, confident that my keyfob wasn't going to get wet. After about thirty minutes of detecting, I patted my pocked to ensure my keyfob was still safe and secure - and it was gone. It must have floated right out of my pocket when I was bobbing up and down in the deep water, trying to dig up a target while floating like a cork. Worse, this keyfob was my backup; I had never replaced the earlier one that I ruined. Talk about feeling sick.

I managed to find someone to loan me their phone so I could call my wife who drove out (again), and we had to call a locksmith. After about 2 1/2 hours of painstaking waiting and work on my car (while the horn kept going off, thinking it was being broken into), and $400 later, I got another keyfob and a backup. What an expensive lesson. Fortunately, the locksmith gave me the digital combination to my car on my driver's side door that lets me in without a key. In the future, I'm locking my keys in my car and not taking them with me in the ocean at all, which is for sure the best option. If the ocean can find a way to ruin them, it will, believe me. One guy told me that he hides his keys near his car, but I didn't want to risk someone seeing me hide them, then make off with my vehicle, keys, wallet, phone and all. Anyway, I hope someone learns from my mistakes.

 

[oldmxrat]

I use this, tethered AND clipped on with the carabiner to my pouch belt. My car Hyundai Santa Cruz) only has the electronic fob and no other option.

Amazon.com

 

[Crunchyhippo]

I use this, tethered AND clipped on with the carabiner to my pouch belt. My car Hyundai Santa Cruz) only has the electronic fob and no other option.
View attachment 2215060

Amazon.com

With my luck, the strap or circular ring would break and I'd lose everything. Now that I know the code combination on the side of my driver's side door, I don't have to risk taking my keys into the ocean with me. Zero chance of losing them that way.

 

[Linesider]

With my luck, the strap or circular ring would break and I'd lose everything. Now that I know the code combination on the side of my driver's side door, I don't have to risk taking my keys into the ocean with me. Zero chance of losing them that way.

Pelican brand fully submersible hard case. Many available sizes

 

[Nathan W]

This isn't about water but when I hunt for the day or way off in woods I have a fly fishing vest and always put my keys in a small pocket in front and zip it before I head out . Would hate to lose them in my pocket somewhere and be screwed

 

[mntnflyr4fun]

I slide em in the exhaust pipe

 

[CASPER-2]

I tape them to the upper inside of my front tire using black gorilla tape

 

[Crunchyhippo]

I tape them to the upper inside of my front tire using black gorilla tape

You'd better hope no one is watching you do it.

 

[CASPER-2]

You'd better hope no one is watching you do it.

I hit at sunrise most of the time - not a soul in sight usually and i dont make it look obvious

 

[CASPER-2]

I hit at sunrise most of the time - not a soul in sight usually and i dont make it look obvious

...was so much easier before the electronic keys - id just put in my zipper pouch
thankfully my gal goes with me on most hunts now - so she carries them

 

[Sand Swinger]

I made a costly mistake a few weeks ago by putting my electronic keyfob/car keys in my booty bag around my waist, which I thought was water proof after it was zipped up. Turns out it wasn't, and my keyfob got wet enough that it stopped working. I couldn't crank my car and I was stranded. I had to get my wife to bring my spare one out to me so I could get home, which she understandably wasn't happy about.

I went online and found a great plastic, pouch holder for keyfobs that seals airtight, which did the trick. So, last weekend I went detecting again and had my pouch in my pocket, confident that my keyfob wasn't going to get wet. After about thirty minutes of detecting, I patted my pocked to ensure my keyfob was still safe and secure - and it was gone. It must have floated right out of my pocket when I was bobbing up and down in the deep water, trying to dig up a target while floating like a cork. Worse, this keyfob was my backup; I had never replaced the earlier one that I ruined. Talk about feeling sick.

I managed to find someone to loan me their phone so I could call my wife who drove out (again), and we had to call a locksmith. After about 2 1/2 hours of painstaking waiting and work on my car (while the horn kept going off, thinking it was being broken into), and $400 later, I got another keyfob and a backup. What an expensive lesson. Fortunately, the locksmith gave me the digital combination to my car on my driver's side door that lets me in without a key. In the future, I'm locking my keys in my car and not taking them with me in the ocean at all, which is for sure the best option. If the ocean can find a way to ruin them, it will, believe me. One guy told me that he hides his keys near his car, but I didn't want to risk someone seeing me hide them, then make off with my vehicle, keys, wallet, phone and all. Anyway, I hope someone learns from my mistakes.

I have an F-150 with keyless entry, so I can at least get back into my truck if anything happened to my key. That said, I personally prefer carrying my keys with me, I just like knowing where my important stuff is. There's a few different things I've done to keep the keys dry & secure while searching the wet and into the water, depending on the time of year. Some of the guys have already shown pics of some waterproof solutions that I use, like waterproof pouches, small waterproof containers, etc.

Personally, I never take my wallet when hunting on the beach. I'll put my driver's license, a credit card, medical insurance cards, some cash, keys & anything else in good quality zip lock baggies. If I'm hunting the beach in the fall/winter (colder months), and plan on hunting the wet/water, I wear a set of waders. Up high on my chest, the waders have a zippered compartment. I'll put the zip lock baggies with my keys/driver's license, IDs in a soft waterproof pouch that I can fold over, then the pouch goes that top pocket of my waders. That way, they're always right in front of me, zippered in so no chance of floating away. My waders are waterproof, so if I get hit by a wave, shouldn't be an issue. But if any water did happen to get through the zipper, it would have to go through the waterproof pouch, and then the zip lock baggies. I like double protection, so stuff goes in zip lock baggies first then goes into the waterproof pouch. Never had any issues and I've been hit by a few surprise waves when out in the water.

During the spring/summer (warmer months), if I'm planning to be on the beach for many hours, I'll wear a small backpack that has one of those camelback water containers, with a tube that hangs over my shoulder. That way, I always have drinking water at the ready. The backpack isn't waterproof per se', but it is a nylon type material, so water does bead off. I'll take the baggies with my keys, license, etc., and will place in a small, hard waterproof container. There's more room & multiple pockets in the backpack so the container goes into one of the pockets. I'll also usually carry some snacks, first aid kit, extra coil, and other miscellaneous stuff. I can't get too deep in the water with the backpack, but it does allow me to wade out chest deep. I've been hit by some waves while wearing the backpack, but never had any issues, due to having my keys and IDs in that waterproof container.

If you don't have waders or backpack, get a small hard waterproof container that has a ring built in for attaching to a carabiner or lanyard. Get an adjustable lanyard, similar to the ones they make for sunglasses with the bead that allows you to adjust, attach the lanyard to the ring, then place the lanyard around your neck and adjust close to your neck, tight enough so that the lanyard can't come up over your head. It'll probably float if you're in deep enough water, but the lanyard will keep it from floating away, and it'll be right in front of you where you can keep an eye on it.