Another question about petty theft

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Zhukov

Registered
Messages
19
Reaction score
10
Location
Austin, TX
# of dives
200 - 499
I'm planning to take a minimal amount of gear with the exception of my driver's license and maybe some cash and of course the key to the truck when my wife and I head out for shore diving. I've done a fairly comprehensive search of the board, and it seems like there are two types of recommended solutions:
1) A waterproof container to store keys/IDs during the dive
2) A lockbox that is shackled to the vehicle.

What I'm interested in is:
1) Have you been burgled or incurred damage to your vehicle/belongings?
2) Which method has FAILED for you, or someone that you know about?
3) Could you get away with taking no ID/credit card/cash with you or is that a bad idea?

I like the idea of a lockbox that I could shackle to the brake pedal (hardened steel), but then I read about Hawaii where they just take bolt cutters. Am I overthinking the sophistication of the thieves? Alternatively, the waterproof container sounds good, and I heard that you can put an ID in a small dry bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and it should be pretty safe from water leakage.
 
I'm planning to take a minimal amount of gear with the exception of my driver's license and maybe some cash and of course the key to the truck when my wife and I head out for shore diving. I've done a fairly comprehensive search of the board, and it seems like there are two types of recommended solutions:
1) A waterproof container to store keys/IDs during the dive
2) A lockbox that is shackled to the vehicle.

What I'm interested in is:
1) Have you been burgled or incurred damage to your vehicle/belongings?
2) Which method has FAILED for you, or someone that you know about?
3) Could you get away with taking no ID/credit card/cash with you or is that a bad idea?

I like the idea of a lockbox that I could shackle to the brake pedal (hardened steel), but then I read about Hawaii where they just take bolt cutters. Am I overthinking the sophistication of the thieves? Alternatively, the waterproof container sounds good, and I heard that you can put an ID in a small dry bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and it should be pretty safe from water leakage.
Your ID will not damaged by salt water.
If you key is a fob, you want a GOOD waterproof container, not something cheap.
Yes, you are overthinking the problem, which is seldom and not sophisticated.
 
@Zhukov

I thought you seemed…familiar.

🤣😂
 
Why Zhukov?
yes, waterproof container or old dive light shell. There are several threads about different ideas on this .
 
Why Zhukov?
yes, waterproof container or old dive light shell. There are several threads about different ideas on this .

I know of the various solutions recommended in the threads over the years. That wasn't my question though.
 
I'm planning to take a minimal amount of gear with the exception of my driver's license and maybe some cash and of course the key to the truck when my wife and I head out for shore diving. I've done a fairly comprehensive search of the board, and it seems like there are two types of recommended solutions:
1) A waterproof container to store keys/IDs during the dive
2) A lockbox that is shackled to the vehicle.

What I'm interested in is:
1) Have you been burgled or incurred damage to your vehicle/belongings?
2) Which method has FAILED for you, or someone that you know about?
3) Could you get away with taking no ID/credit card/cash with you or is that a bad idea?

I like the idea of a lockbox that I could shackle to the brake pedal (hardened steel), but then I read about Hawaii where they just take bolt cutters. Am I overthinking the sophistication of the thieves? Alternatively, the waterproof container sounds good, and I heard that you can put an ID in a small dry bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and it should be pretty safe from water leakage.
I suggest that you leave everything “at home” except for a towel. Roll windows down. Key in waterproof container. I use a series of plastic dry bags and tuck them inside my wetsuit.
 
Many vehicles come with a key that is not electronic so use that. Just means manually opening doors.
 
The old Sony go pro competitor had a dive case that I find to be excellent for this. It’s more or less rectangular so ID/credit card/key fit nicely. Not necessarily in Bonaire but seen too many of those cut boxes to trust them personally.

The only real pain is the chunky key fob or when they lash 4 keys together on rental keys, but the trucks we have rented in Bonaire all had flat metal keys which was prefect.
 
I personally have never had anything stolen from my truck because I never leave anything of value in it, just towel, water, flip flops.

Over the years the only theft I have suffered was a pair of sunglasses that disappeared from poolside when I took a dip in the pool.

I have never had any theft from hotel room but always use the room safe for small valuables.
My UW camera equipment, however, sits out in the hotel room. In 15+ yrs going to Bonaire, no one has touched it.

I think a lock box in the car is an invitation rather than a solution.

When shore diving I just put a few bucks and keys into a waterproof container. I stay at Buddy dive and always ask for the oldest dumpiest looking truck in hopes that it will be left alone and because it is more likely to have an old fashioned key rather than an electric fob. FYI the shops are happy to accept wet money.
 

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