New waterproof case lets you take electronics in water

Now you really can bring your cell phone everywhere with you, including the ocean. A local company says it’s found a way to call home from the water.

Wilmington based company Dry Corp develops medical equipment like this rubber vacuum seal you can put over a cast so you can swim with a broken arm.

Now, they’ve come up with a waterproof case for your i-Pod or cell phone.

“It allows you to use the touch screen, take and make calls, text message, e-mail, it’s also clear on both sides so you can take pictures through it if you’re using a camera or a camera phone,” said co-creator Corey Heim.

What keeps your electronics dry is the vacuum seal, once you pump all the air out, it’s safe to put it in the water.

A removable lanyard and armband keep it attached during physical activity. Waterproof headphones allow you to listen to music or make a phone call.

But not everyone’s convinced…

“I think I would be a little nervous about putting it in a bag and putting it in the water,” said Yvonne Griffin.

Eric howland hit the surf to give it a try. “If you had both earphones in you couldn’t really hear what was going on around you so it might not be good to be dropping in on people, people wouldn’t really hear you.”

If you have a blackberry, you can’t control the mouse inside the bag, but for people like McClean Seward, the dry case is a lifesaver. “I’m always on the water, I work on the water, use it for my I-Phone, digital camera, it’s great for kayak fishing, everything like that, you never have to worry about getting it wet.”

The dry case costs $35. The waterproof headphones are separate; they’re about $23, so you’re looking at about $60 for both.

They’re available at local surf shops and beach stores or online at drycorp.com.