Keeping Electronics Dry on the River

Taking your camera or smartphone on whitewater rafting or kayaking expeditions is a temptation that is often too great to pass up. There is a good reason, too. We live in an age of social media and love inspiring our friends with pictures of highlights in our lives. 

Also, electronics have become less bulky, more water-resistant, and simpler to operate on the move. But how can you ensure your gadgets remain safe and dry during your river adventures? Or what to bring for white water rafting?

In this blog, we will go over the precautions to take before embarking on your river expeditions, as well as other essential hacks and tips to help you make the most of your journey. 

1. Choosing the Right Equipment and Accessories

It all starts with choosing the right equipment. There are many options available for protecting your devices before setting off on your river excursion. The best one out of these options would be equipment with the highest water tolerance.

A good river journey requires striking a balance between the need to safeguard your electronics and the desire to record those experiences.

2. Key Tips for Safeguarding Electronics:

Once you’ve decided on what electronics you’ll be bringing on the journey, there are some key tips that can help you keep your devices safe. These include: 

A. What to Bring and Not to Bring

There is a list of preferable electronics to bring with you on a river. Phones are fine. Cameras are fine as well. If you are planning on doing an overnight trip, though, you may be tempted to bring along the laptop — but it’s best to not bring it. Trust us, no amount of waterproofing can protect your electronics against the chance of being spilled out of the vessel. 

In general, try to stick to handheld devices on the river. DSLR cameras are pushing the limits as far as size goes, but it’s understandable to want to be able to capture a high-res image of such a special occasion. It should go without saying, but accessories like earbuds and Bluetooth devices should not accompany you on the river. Losing your new Airpods as you raft the rapids of Chattooga shouldn’t be the highlight of your excursion.

B. When to Take Pictures:

Some moments look so perfect that you can’t resist wanting to capture them. However, that shouldn’t mean that you take out your camera after every 2 seconds. You really don’t want to be that person, trust us. 

It won’t benefit the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the group if you are pulling out your camera to capture the rapids right as you’re dropping into them. Pictures are best taken in still sections where paddling is not needed, or when the rapids have just ended and everyone is soaking wet. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings when reaching for your camera. One sharp turn and your equipment will be a part of the rapids too. 

C. Waterproof Gear Essentials

You may have the best, most waterproof equipment on the market. But that doesn’t mean that it would definitely withstand all the water that would be splashed around while you raft. Keeping your electronics safe from water involves certain pieces of gear, including:

• Waterproof Phone Cases 

There are several waterproof phone cases on the market, including the Expansys waterproof case. The benefits of a waterproof phone case are that it protects phones from the water while allowing partial use of the phone. That means you can operate the screen through the front cover. If you use a waterproof phone case, also buy a lanyard and some marine rope. This will allow you to attach the phone to your life jacket so it doesn’t sink to the fathomless depths of the river wild.

• Dry Bag

The next thing you’ll want are dry bags for rafting. You’ve probably seen these — they’re made of waterproof fabric, and the opening rolls up and buckles together to keep all water out. This is an excellent place for wallets, jewelry, and even your phone when you’re done with it. An added benefit of the dry bag is that you can fill it with some air for flotation.

• Marine Rope 

This is another must-have. This type of rope floats on the surface of water. It’s also soft on your hands even when it’s wet, sturdy, and resistant to mildew and water rot. It is also thick and compressible, making it easy to grip. You can buy this type of rope from certain marine stores.

• Pelican Case 

If you absolutely must bring an expensive DSLR camera on the river, protect it properly with a pelican case. These aren’t cheap, but neither is your camera. A pelican case provides complete waterproof protection as well as protection from impacts.

D. Flotation Devices for Electronics:

Another great tip is to ensure that your devices can float, which can prevent accidental loss in the water. A dry bag can serve as a flotation device. Other ideas include attaching your phone to your lifejacket or keeping a piece of foam tasseled to it. At any rate, always be sure that your electronics will not sink if they get separated from you and enter the water. This way, even if you are in the middle of a rapid when you lose your phone, it will float through and be retrievable at the bottom.

E. Protecting Kids’ Electronics:

As a thumb rule, it’s better to keep a one-phone-per-group rule in families. The more phones on the river, the greater the chance of losing one. Thus, it is best to leave your kids’ electronics on the shore, especially since they might not be as careful with them as the adults. 

3. Innovations in Waterproof Electronics:

To truly appreciate the evolution of technology, get your hands on a 1990s device. Unlike today’s intuitive iPhones, mastering a pre-Steve-Jobs video camera feels like a scientific task. Beyond simplicity, sleeker electronics offer greater waterproof capabilities.

Also, modern gadgets like iPhones are marketed as water-resistant (and mostly are), but for river adventures, a waterproof case is still necessary.

The GoPro is another top choice, attaching to your helmet and designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It can record hours of footage on a single charge. DSLRs, while great for professional photos, remain water-vulnerable.

For the lowest chance of damaging an expensive piece of equipment, we recommend using either an iPhone in a waterproof case or a GoPro.

4. Insurance for Electronics

Insuring your electronics is a smart choice when heading out for river adventures. It provides protection against various risks like river damage, theft, accidental drops, liquid spills, and more.

For items like iPhones, the cost is typically between $100 to $200 for two years of coverage, which is a fraction of the cost of a new phone. River activities can pose risks to your equipment, and losing them in the water can ruin your trip.

Insurance covers not only smartphones and cameras but also laptops, computers, tablets, and more. It can mean quick repairs and a replacement device, saving you from costly replacements during or after your adventure. 

One precaution everyone should take is to back up their phones and cameras before setting off on the river. This way, if you lose it in the water, at least you’ll have all your photos and important information stored for the next phone. 

5. Accessories for Overnight River Trips

Aside from your waterproof phone case and a pelican case for larger equipment, there are other precautions you’ll want to take with you to ensure you don’t have any problems:

A. Ziplock Bags 

Ziplock bags are about as cheap as they come, and they are perfect for waterproofing on a budget. One important note, though: don’t buy off-brand Ziplock bags. The cheaper alternatives are notorious for leaks, which essentially defeats the whole purpose of the bag in the first place. Use Ziplock bags for key storage hitches, phones, wallets, and other personal items.

B. Desiccant Bags

Desiccant bags are those tiny, tea bag-like pouches that come in shipping boxes and warn “Do not eat.” Start a jar in your home and accumulate as many as you can or go out and buy a container of them. They are extremely useful for keeping moisture out of your waterproof cases. If you are using a Ziplock bag or a waterproof phone case, keep one desiccant bag in each to absorb the moisture that comes off your fingers when you handle the phone.

C. Lens Cleaning Liquid

The number-one rule of cleaning a lens is not to use water — particularly not river water, which is full of minerals and other particles found in nature. Because spots can collect on your lens, a lens-cleaning liquid can guarantee a quick clean with just one spritz.

D. Microfiber Lens Cloth: 

Lenses are easily scratched or damaged, particularly in the field when conditions are suboptimal. Because river water contains lots of minerals and produces a lot of splashes, it’s important to have a microfiber cleaning cloth to keep your lens from accumulating water spots. Keep the cloth in its own pouch with a desiccant bag to avoid having it soak up water. Spray the lens cleaning liquid onto the cloth and then apply it to the lens.

E. Air Blower

In the outdoors, a pristine lens can be a magnet for dust, dirt, and pollen. Whereas a lens cloth is good for wiping away moisture, trying to wipe away dirt can potentially gouge your lens. For this, it’s better to use a manual air blower, which releases puffs of air that blow away the particles. Use a microfiber cloth after using the manual air blower.

Also, if you starting out to discover the pleasures of photography, here are some tips regarding the types of cameras you can use: 

F. GoPro

Lets you capture action-packed moments without distractions. For instance, if you are hoping for video footage of the cool things you do, a GoPro is the best option. This gives you the freedom to focus on the task at hand and not the filming of it.

G. Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Offers excellent picture quality with user-friendly features, such as large memories, smaller size, and waterproofing (e.g., Olympus Tough TG-5, Nikon COOLPIX AW130, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30). 

H. Smartphones 

Smartphones offer competitive cameras. If you are looking for ease of operation and simplicity, consider just taking your iPhone or another smartphone along for the ride.

I. DSLR

Ideal for those who want full control over photography but remember to protect your equipment according to rafting tips. Choose the device that matches your photography preferences and ensure it’s safeguarded for a worry-free adventure.

6. Let Southeastern Expeditions Capture Your Adventure

Looking to savor every moment of your whitewater rafting adventure without worrying about your gear and electronics?

Let Southeastern Expeditions do the work for you. 

With years of experience in photographing groups on a beautiful river, we know what spots are the most picturesque for your Instagram pages.

We don’t just want to make memories — we want to make the memories last. So don’t hesitate, and enjoy your rafting experience to the fullest, taking in every second of it. Book your next adventure today!