a simple question for beach divers

[Nemrod]

Most cars that have electronic keys also have a standard key--I use that one and lock the key fob with electronic key into the trunk or other hiding place. It is sometimes called a vallet key.

JFYI, those key fobs and keys could cost over 125 dollars to replace, they can be expensive. If at that point they steal the car, oh well, that is why I have insurance. I did the best I could.

N

 

[m.gong]

thanks for all the tips. i got a plastic replicate of my car key from AAA, that solves the problem, i hope.

 

[MontereyCADiver]

A buddy of mine uses: KeySafe StorAKey Auto/SUV/RV Secure Spare Key Storage. Davstar Security Online Store

There must be other styles, too.

 

[The Chairman]

I keep oxygen in the trunk of my Ridgeline. Everyone who dives with me is shown my semi-unique hiding spot for my keys. It would be WRONG to keep them away from the oxygen if they ever needed it.

 

[David P]

Kevin, cool hitch safe! Except when diving doubles, I don't think I want to bend over to put in a code.

M.Gong, that is what I was going to suggest, its looks like a credit card with a fold out plastic key right?

What I do, I drive a 3/4 ton van, I am 6'4" and the van is taller than me. I put my key up in the rain gutter above the side door. Multiple times a dive buddy will see me reach up feel for the key then open the door. "you put your key up there?!?!?" "Hey you didn't think of it and if I can't see the key, then most other people cant either" For me it works out great, its totally out of sight, you have to be fairly tall to reach it if you even know where to feel, with my heavy doubles, I dont have to take them off before kneeling down...oh yeah, I put the keys in location as soon as I get there, so that once I start getting ready (after the BS session with the buddies) even if we are being watched, the super secret hiding spot wont be seen.....

 

[Charlie99]

The keys with electronic chips in them are reasonably rugged. I have taken the electronic keys of rental cars for several shore dives with no problems. Kind of like the joke about certain beaches on Maui being accessible only by 4 wheel drive and rental cars, I figured they are pretty waterproof but preferred to test out the theory on rental cars.

OTOH, since I do several shore dives a week during the 3 or 4 months I spend on Maui, I have a dumb non-electronic key for my car there. It just opens the door and trunk, giving me access to the chipped-key and remote control left in the trunk. The Honda dealer charged $6 for the dumb key. I keep it on a lanyard around my neck while diving.

 

[StevenN]

My car has the electronic key and I didn't want to take it in the water so I went to the local hardware store and had them match a blank to it. The book they use doesn't say which blank will work so they have to match it visually. I've done this with three different cars and they've always found one that works.

 

[m.gong]

M.Gong, that is what I was going to suggest, its looks like a credit card with a fold out plastic key right?

Yeah David, that's exactly what I used.

 

[Thalassamania]

My car has a number pad on the driver's door.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Sell the fancy car with a key fob thing. Buy dive related stuff (trips gear etc..) get a cheap car that no one would want. Leave the keys in it unlocked.

Ok just a joke. I have a hide a key.