I don’t think you can turn gps off anymore if ever.
I’ve had leak issues with that style. The gasket at the cam locks.
Can my phone be tracked if I turn off GPS?
Yes , both iOS and Android phones can be tracked without a data connection. … When your phone has a data connection or is connected to WiFi, it uses Assisted GPS or A-GPS.Oct 6, 2021
You get what you pay for. Three bucks you don’t get much.
I have two of the bags with the magnetic closures that I showed in the first post and they’ve been sealing well after being used maybe 50-100 times each.
Personally I wouldn’t want a magnetic 
closure on my phone.
I don’t need much. The phone is water resistant on its own. I just need something to put it in that allows me to still use it and that allows me to tether it to my PFD. That’s enough for me. The pouch being able to float is a bonus.
Rating on your phone is?
IP 68, so it can be submerged up to 5 feet for up to 30 minutes. A little water seeping into the pouch isn’t going to hurt it.
Ok but not for me.
Google “Apple Emergency SOS” This is a super feature that you can set up for your iPhone and for Apple watches. IDK if it’s available for Android or for other smart watches but would be worth looking into. It’s simple to set up - look for “Emergency SOS” in settings.
Once you’ve set up you can trigger a 911 call and texts to your designated contacts by simply holding down the side button on phone or watch for 5 seconds and then swiping “emergency SOS”.
I wear my (waterproof) Apple Watch when I paddle, generally keep my iPhone in a Lifeproof case in a pfd pocket AND pack a VHF radio.
Thanks for posting this, Rookie. I like that it gives you both a “call Coast Guard” and “call 911” button. I see where the app displays your coordinates and I believe that for the Coast Guard or 911 to know those, you have to read them off. I don’t think phones have a means to transmit those automatically (the cellular provider can get your approximate location from the towers). Anyone please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong about this.
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Some phones have a GPS chip in them and can provide the coordinates to apps that have the correct permissions.
For longer battery life on the water, turn off the radio services that will not be used such as Wi-Fi and maybe Bluetooth. When using a navigation app and traveling far from service areas, turn off cellular as well, but don’t forget to turn it back on.
I saw something yesterday that if you key an IPhone’s power button 5 times it contacts emergency services and your emergency contacts (sends a text and location info.) I do not have an IPhone so I cannot test if it works or not.
Android apparently has something similar as well but I am very hesitant to try it in case it unnecessarily signals EMS.
I am still on my first cup of coffee so I am not in full internet search mode to try and confirm these tips.
Didn’t know that. Also, it depends which iPhone you have. iPhone 8 and newer are different than 7 and older.
I guess it is true. From Apple support.
Looking above in previous posts I just noticed Pilgrim
mentioned it as well.
VHF only works if near CG or equivalent resources that monitor this channels.
There is no such service any place upstate NY for ex until you get north to the Great Lakes. There is also no fishing fleet likely to catch a hail.
There’s an app that was recommended by emergency services in my area, Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada. ‘what3words’ . Some hikers had gotten lost, but had this app and they were located quickly. It apparently can work anywhere in the world. After the rescue emergency services recommended the app for anyone going out into unfamiliar areas.
Members of our local outdoor, Lambton Outdoor Club, had an instance where some people out kayaking near Walpole Island, Ontario, used ‘what3words’ so that rescuers could find them when one kayaker hurt his back while getting out of the kayak at lunchtime.
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