Securing Valuables

I have a swim buoy with a dry lock side that I use for my keys when I do OWS at the lake. I leave my phone in the car. It isn't exactly the same situation, but I've never had any moisture in my buoy dry lock, so I'd probably put my phone in there anyway.

In any case, you should have something like a swim buoy to help make you more visible when doing OWS, so why not double up?

Sometimes if doing OWS when traveling I just put my key (hotel key) and ID in a ziplock baggie and then put it into a zip pocket on my tri suit or top (some have them on the tops). I wouldn't trust a paper ID like a passport to that system while swimming, but have used it for small amounts of cash, plastic ID's like a driver's license, and credit cards with no problem, sometimes even in races. That being said, if you are swimming solo in open water, probably best to get one of those personal swim buoys. They usually come with a dry bag for keys, ID, and the like. I have one but have never used it--it was swag in my last race, where I broke my elbow on the run....Can swim a little now but it is WAY too cold for open water in my book--warmest water is 55 and I can't get into my full suit yet. Yikes!

I never used to run with my phone unless expecting a call at a time I needed to be out, just money for a taxi ride home (since I didn't know anyone who could rescue me with a car in Saigon, and it was easy to hail a taxi from roadside anywhere I trained in the event of a bike issue, turned ankle, or the like), but since moving back to the States, I take the phone. Just feel safer that way and also like knowing I can answer calls from my elderly mom, or potential employers right away. I wouldn't swim with it, though.

Edited by Hot Runner 2019-05-03 8:57 AM