iPod Dropped in the Pool? iPhoneTook a Swim in the Toilet?

by Lori Cunningham

If you’re reading this article after reading the title it’s because:

1. You have experienced one of these terrible misfortunes
2. You are scared to death that one of these things may happen to you
3. You’re a loyal reader and read everything we post (thank you!)

For me, my answers are yes on 1,2, and 3!  Although I did not drop an iPhone or iPod in the pool or toilet, I did drop another prized possession in the toilet before…my Striiv pedometer.  I wear my Striiv pedometer everywhere.  It’s a great little gadget with a full color LED screen that keeps track of my steps, stairs, calories, and activity time.  Every 18,000 steps equals a donation of a clean glass of water by Striiv to people in South America, so I am always well aware of my steps.

Anyways, one unfortunate day, I accidentally dropped my beloved Striiv in the toilet, it tumbled straight in from my pants waistband.  Yikes!  I was nearly paralyzed, realizing very quickly that I would never see the Striiv in it’s glory again.  It was a sad day for me…there are always times in your life where you wish you were a second faster or a bit more careful.  Being rather clumsy at times (it runs in my family), I’ve had more than my share of mishaps.  

I rushed to get the Striiv out of the toilet to revive it.  To my shock and surprise, the LED color screen was still on!  I shook all the water out of it as much as I could.  Wow, the Striiv may have survived the toilet after all!  What a relief!  

Thirty seconds later, the screen turned off, as it often did if it wasn’t being used.  I rushed over to turn it on again.  No light, no nothing.  The Striiv had flatlined…it was dead.  No more keeping track of my steps. No more earning glasses of waters for the poor South Americans in need.  And the timing was terrible too.  I would be leaving for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in a week and I had dreamed of tracking my steps during the week to see how far I actually walked.

Now, a Striiv costs $99.  Obviously a iPhone or other smartphone costs 2 to 5 times more.  A submerged device can happen so easily, even if you’re very careful, watch out for your kids!

About five months later, my friend Sarah at Tech4Moms, let me know about the Aqua Dry Bag from XO Skins.  XO Skins claims that the Aqua Dry Bag is “the best way to dry out and save your wet electronic

source: XOSkins.com

devices.”  Wow.  What a dream come true!  Sounds nearly miraculous, doesn’t?

To use the Aqua Dry Bag, you simply:

1. Dry off your phone/small gadget as best as possible
2. Take out your battery and SIM card and set aside
3. Place your smartphone in the Aqua Dry Bag
4. Wait 48-72 hours and check to see if all of the water has been dried out.  If not, keep it in the bag for longer.

Now I’m sure you’re wondering if I did my due diligence and actually tested the product to ensure it can live up to it’s claim.  Of course, I or someone on our team tests out every product we write about.  However, not this time.  I couldn’t bring myself to submerge my phone.  Nonetheless, I am so thankful to have an Aqua Dry Bag around in case of a future emergency.  If something happens to any of my devices or a friends/family member’s device, I will be ready to administer phone CPR.

I know this product is hard to believe.  Can it really revive your smartphone?  Take a look at this video below which shows how they brought their phone back to life:

Pretty remarkable, huh?  And the icing on the cake is that the cost of the Aqua Dry Bag is relatively cheap, only $14.99 plus shipping at XOSkins.com.  $14.99 is a lot cheaper than buying a whole new phone or device.  My suggestion to you is to buy one and have it handy…just in case you or a friend ever needs it.  The longer water sits in the devices circuitry, the less likely you can revive it.  So if you have an Aqua Dry Bag on hand, the sooner you can dry out a submerged device, the better chances you have of saving it.  Have an Aqua Dry Bag on hand, you’ll be glad you did.  And if you ever have to use it, we want to hear from you and we’ll post your experience on our site.

* I was given an Aqua Dry Bag in exchange for my honest opinion.  I’m saving it for a “rainy” day.  🙂