USIA Dry Suits - Waders - Dry Bags

Tag Archives: waterproof

Free Is A Very Good Price. Or is it?

Posted on by Posted in Articles

There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. But what about a free breakfast? IHOP recently gave away free flapjacks on National Pancake Day. Did you get yours? Me neither. Still, it’s a pretty good way to get people in the door. Though I subscribe wholeheartedly to the adage, “you get what you pay for,” it’s kind of fun to get something for free. And if it’s something I can actually use, well then that’s a win-win. Lately I’ve been spotting some pretty interesting outdoor gear online being offered up for nothing and wondered what’s the deal? What do they want in return? Whenever you see something for free, that’s the first question. Some of these things require a survey be filled out, some want you to sign up on their registry, and some want shipping and handling to be paid. But, if it’s free and if it’s something you want, why not?

Free Credit Card Knife
At 2 mm thin, this little guy actually is as thin as a credit card. It takes just a few seconds to convert it from an ordinary card to a fully functioning knife. The blade is a surgical stainless steel, built for rugged use and trouble-free sharpness. Built-in hand protection helps you keep a solid grip and prevents the blade from slipping. There also an integrated safety sheath which prevents the blade from opening in your pocket or anywhere else you don’t want it to open. It has a waterproof locking mechanism and opens easier and faster than any ordinary penknives. Sounds like a deal, huh? Only one catch, shipping and handling is $4.95. So I guess it isn’t really free.

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607996945293314994&pid=15.1&P=0

Free EverStryke Waterproof Match
If this match does what they say it does, then this deal might be something you want to jump on. Essentially, it’s a flint striker with a little wick attached to it and a small amount of lighter fluid in the reservoir. It’s the size and shape of a zippo lighter and, for added convenience, it’s equipped with a keychain clip. And on top of it all—it’s waterproof. After watching a completely independent video review, it’s obvious that the match works, which is pretty amazing for something being offered for free. Here’s the link to get your own EverStryke Waterproof Match.

Free Oxygenated Towel
Not sure exactly what an oxygenated towel really is, but if it’s free, then what the hay? It’s also called a Cleansing Body Mitt, and the makers say it’s infused with mint, aloe, cucumber, and custom scents. The makers also say it will remove excess dirt, oil, bacteria and odor to leave you feeling refreshed and smelling great. How can you pass this one up?

Free Jump Rope
How much does a jump rope actually cost? A couple of bucks? But that’s a couple of bucks you are saving if you sign up to get yours for free. Shore Fitness Club is running a promo where if you sign up on their website, they’ll send you the rope. They might have your email and might spamming you 24/7, but hey, you’ll have that fancy jump rope!

USIA: A Hobby That Got Out Of Hand

Posted on by Posted in Articles

started-as-a-hobby

“It was a hobby that got out of hand.”

That’s how founder Kim Johns (aka Captain Kujo) describes the genesis of his company, UnderSea Industrial Apparel (USIA). It all started back in the early eighties, when Captain Kujo was but a young, adventurous soul looking for ways to feed his inner adrenaline monster. A small dive shop owner, his passions included scuba diving, hunting, fishing, boating, and more. It was all a part of a lifestyle that personified the phrase, “Work hard and play harder.”

It was live fast and die hard as the thrill seeking began hitting new peaks when Captain Kujo began to notice a frustrating trend: his equipment just didn’t hold up to his demanding way of life. Dry suits were leaking and falling apart, tote bags were inadequate and flimsy—everything was getting soaked. There had to be a better way.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Kujo decided to take it upon himself to make better, more durable gear. That’s when USIA was born. It was a perfect scenario: he could test his own suits in real world situations, exposing them to the harsh, cold waters of the Northern Pacific Ocean. Then he could bring the results back to the factory to design and implement improvements and new innovations. To keep warm in the frigid sea, Kujo developed a whole line of thermal undergarments to wear inside his suits. And to solve the problem of all of his essential gear getting wet all the time, he made a series of waterproof bags, many of which can be submerged to over 100 feet. Recently, Kujo has taken his incredibly durable products to the consumer market with USIA Waders, which are gaining cult status as some of the best waders a sportsman can buy.

Over the years of this constant real world quality control, Captain Kujo has developed USIA into an industry leader. The USIA headquarters and manufacturing facility are located in a state-of-the-art compound in Oregon. The facility includes administrative offices, shipping, production area, testing and quality assurance department, research and development department and training compound. USIA offices are open 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

USIA dry suits and thermal wear protective undergarments are the result of extensive design and development. Captain Kujo and the USIA dive team have conducted hundreds of dives in every kind of environment and under extreme conditions. Almost every branch of the U.S. Military have purchased USIA dry suits, and most of these groups have re-ordered more products due to the integrity of the dry suit systems and the durability of the suit and undergarment.

The Military Defense Division of USIA is a leading innovator of surface and diving dry suits, waterproof weapons bags, waterproof backpack, and thermal protection undergarments. USIA’s customers include the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Department of Homeland Security. USIA holds a GSA contract and also sells to numerous foreign agencies.

USIA is a proud equipment supplier to Public Safety Dive teams and Swift Water Rescue teams from around the world. These agencies also protect their life support equipment by utilizing USIA’s vast line of waterproof bags. USIA is also one of the fastest growing manufacturers of Tactical gun bags, slings, and vests for dozens of SWAT teams in North America.

These days, Captain Kujo is still an avid fisherman, still dives (holding a PADI Master Dive Instructor Certificate) and is a US Department of Interior Motorboat Operator Instructor plus a US Coast Guard licensed inland master/operator of uninspected watercraft for over 20 yrs. with more than 1000 documentable hours in the North Pacific and over 100 Columbia Bar crossings. For Captain Kujo, truly, USIA is not just equipment, it’s a lifestyle.

Deciphering Our Waterproof Rating System

Posted on by Posted in Articles

waterproof rating

At USIA, one of our chief mottoes is, “Seriously Dry.” We stand by that motto by manufacturing some of the industry’s most reliable and durable waterproof gear. But what exactly does ‘waterproof’ mean? Different manufacturers have different definitions of waterproof, and that can cause a lot of confusion among consumers who just want the best gear at the best price.

To help you find the correct type of waterproof gear for your particular needs, we have streamlined and coded our rating system for maximum simplicity so you can get a quick and trustworthy idea of how our products match up to the level of water-tightness with other manufacturers. You can find these rating icons together with each product in The USIA Store. These ratings are in no way a guarantee from USIA. Instead, they take into account the numerous manufacturer claims and exhibit them in one common system. Class F is the least waterproof and Class A is the most. Without further ado, here is our waterproof class rating system:

Class F – Water resistant to rain or splash applications. The product could be infiltrated by moisture if subjected to prolonged water exposure, heavy top-down watering, dynamic water pressure applications, or submersion. This is what we call basically water repellent.

Class E – Waterproof in top-down watering applications. The product could be infiltrated by moisture in forceful water pressure applications, water injected from odd angles, or submersion. We call this water resistant.

Class D – Tight Waterproofing so it floats or can handle rapid submersion. The product could be infiltrated by water during incidents of prolonged submersion, submersions in water deeper than 3 feet, or incidents of high water pressure. This class is termed Non-pressurized Water proof.

Class C – Waterproof and submersible to at least 3 feet, but no more than 12 (max depth limits fluctuates by maker). Class C is the first class we consider as truly submersible. Appropriate for water sports such as swimming and snorkeling where excessive depths are not the norm. The product could be infiltrated by moisture if submersion greater than maker’s suggested depth rating, continuous submersion more than 24 hours, extreme water pressure situations where seals could be compromised.

Class B – Waterproof and submersible to depths greater than 12 feet (sometimes up to 100 feet – fluctuates by maker). Appropriate for any water sport of less depth than the maker’s maximum depth rating. Normal uses include scuba diving, snorkeling, search & rescue, and white water rafting. The product could be infiltrated by water in depths greater than the maker’s recommended depth rating or any physical force that could endanger the water-tight seal.

Class A – Waterproof and submersible to depths greater than 132 feet. Suitable for any underwater operations including scuba diving, technical scuba diving. Normal uses include commercial scuba diving, search & rescue diving, and deep sea military activities. The product will not be permeated by water in depths greater than 132 feet. USIA Class A products are all fitted with a minimum of oral inflator or inflate & exhaust valve set.

Ditch Bag: You Never Know When You’ll Need To Ditch

Posted on by Posted in Articles

Ditch_pack1
You never know when it will happen.

That moment when the proverbial s— hits the fan. That instant when everything that can go wrong does go wrong, and you find yourself scrambling for dear life. If you spend any amount of time outdoors, whatever your pastime may be, you’ve had a moment like this, or you know someone who has. Your boat suddenly takes on water and is seconds from capsizing. You see a wall of snow barreling toward you and have no time to scramble to safety. You get caught in a flash flood and your vehicle is being washed down the ravine. These are extreme circumstances, and ones that you may never get caught up in, but that’s what everyone says: “I never thought it would happen to me!” Emergencies happen, and for those harrowing times when you need to grab your bag and go, we introduce the USIA Ditch Bag.

Captain Kujo takes a USIA Ditch Bag along every time he goes offshore fishing because he demands performance from his gear or he won’t use it. The principal is simple, have a tough, waterproof bag that can be worn at all times, small enough not to be cumbersome but spacious enough to hold every piece of essential gear that NEEDS to stay dry no matter what. Anything that has to stay dry goes into the bag. Licenses and tags. EPIRBS and VHF radios. Matches, lighters and first aid material. Protein bars and survival kits. Anything (within size limitations, of course).

Here are some of the bag’s specs:

  • Made from USIA’s 400 Denier NyloTex material, this waterproof pack is ideal for hunters and fisherman who thrive in extreme conditions where the difference between life and death is how quickly you can grab your bag before disaster strikes.
  • The bag is 100% waterproof and will protect all of your vital electronics and all the gear you do not want to get wet in emergency situations.
  • Fitted with a tough as nails YKK Gas/Water/Air-tight zipper (the same kind on all of our dry suits)
  • Oral inflator so you can fill the bag with air. Floatable and swimmable and divable to 130 feet. We know. We’ve taken in down that far.*
  • Meant to wear at all times, the bag has adjustable padded shoulder straps so when you go overboard, the bag goes with you.
  • Bag Dimensions: 24″ x 12″ x 5″
  • And the best part…It’s Made in the USA.

You’ll find the USIA Ditch Bag so versatile and handy that–and people may look at you funny but oh well–it could become your go-to bag for day to day use. It just might become your favorite bag!

*Not an approved floatation safety device.

Ten Outdoor Products That Will Save Your Life

Posted on by Posted in Articles

10 survival gadgets1

Accidents happen when we least expect them. That’s why they’re called accidents. When we are at home or at work or anywhere else in civilization, an accident can be nothing more than a frustrating inconvenience. Something bad happens and we pluck our cell phones from our pockets and call for help. Worst case scenario, we have to flag someone down or run to the neighbor’s house to call 911. But in the back country, where cell towers are conspicuously absent and a quick jog next door is out of the question, what do you do when tragedy strikes and you get seriously lost?

The answer is to be prepared for anything. Sure, you know to pack extra water and some food rations, but when the sh$% hits the fan and you are facing a long night or nights in the woods all by yourself while search crews hunt for you, having some survival gear at your disposal could very well mean the difference between you becoming a statistic or walking out of the forest alive.

In no meaningful order, here is the list of what we believe are the best of the best essential lifesaving outdoor gadgets:

water-filtration

LIFESAVER Systems 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle

When thinking about pure survival, staying hydrated is goal number one. All other physiological needs come second. With that in mind, it is not only a good idea to have one of these ingenious water filters around, it’s essential.

SOL

SOL Origin Survival Kit and Essential Survival Tools

Finding yourself stranded alone in the middle of nowhere is a terrifying prospect. With the SOL Origin Survival Kit, your fears will melt into confidence. It’s like a Swiss Army Knife on steroids, with several different features and functions that will keep you alive. An AUS 8 steel blade, a signal mirror, a super loud whistle, a waterproof fire striker, a compass and survival tips are only a part of the story. This would make a great gift for the outdoorsman in your life.

Earl-Backcountry-Survival-Tablet1

Meet Earl

As stated earlier, and as you well know, as you get off the beaten path, your cell phone becomes about as valuable as a pinecone. Actually, it’s less valuable because at least you can burn a pinecone for heat. What good is having all that smartphone technology if it doesn’t work when and where you need it? Meet Earl, the “revolutionary tablet engineered for the most extreme of outdoor situations. Built for survival, Earl works where today’s smart phones and tablets cannot. Style meets efficiency with Earl’s intuitive design, fusing Android 4.4 together with an energy sipping E-Ink screen and the latest in GPS, weather sensor, and radio communication technology. With Earl at your side, stay in control of your journey no matter where it takes you.” (From meetearl.com)

bear repellent
(Bug/Bear/Shark) Repellent

Of course having a gun is the best line of defense against predators like bears and mountain lions. But not everyone has a gun. But we all need to keep safe from those large critters, so having a canister of some kind of chemical repellent would be greatly advised. Aerosol bear repellent sprays have been on the market for years, and recently a product for cougars has been introduced. We can’t leave out divers, either. Chemical shark repellents are new, and we don’t have much empirical evidence on how effective they are, but better safe than sorry!

Firestar-Fire-Piston

FireStar Fire Piston

One of the best features of an essential life-saving product is the ability to pack a ton of utility into a compact size. After all, any good hiker knows that less is more. And the smaller the better. That’s where the Firestar excels. The product is remarkably simple: pressurized air creates a spark that ignites your tinder. A great alternative way to attain fire when your matches get wet and your lighter runs out of fuel.

Click Here for Part Two.

Sources: hiconsumption.com | Amazon.com | meetearl.com |

 

Breathable Waders: Why It’s Time To Rethink Them

Posted on by Posted in Articles

Is it time to rethink your breathable waders?

Breathable waders are common for fishing, hunting, clamming, trapping, and a host of other activities around and in the water. You might even own a pair. They can be fantastic. They can keep you cool on those sunnier days. But don’t you ever notice they are not perfectly dry?

The Old Days

Back in the day, old timers used bag waders made from thick rubber and cumbersome attached rubber boots. They were waterproof and simple to repair but were a safety hazard because of their weight and bulk. Then along came Neoprene. It is quite robust and can endure a lot of abuse, but you must take care to dry them out completely after each use otherwise mold and mildew and other factors arise. Using neoprene you start to build up sweat, and that sweat is cooled which makes you feel a little cool and clammy underneath in colder temperatures. Not fun.

Enter Breathables

Over the years, breathables have increased in popularity. Breathables are constructed from a permeable material which allows dampness to escape through the wader even while in the water. Fishermen love them because they are very light and can be worn in the hot summer without causing a perspiration issue. In addition, they can be worn in the winter with a set of sweat pants or fleece wader pants that will help keep moisture away from you and protect you from the cold water.

The Trouble with Breathables

Waders made from breathable material, while comfortable and cool, are too disposable. Breathable chest waders are very easily damaged when rubbing against thorns or rocks and extra care is required to keep them free of leaks.

Care has to be taken when putting on breathable waders so you don’t pull the stitching. This will also cause leaks. Breathable chest waders also leak when the pores become blocked by silt from the water, creating an overall cold, wet, and uncomfortable sporting experience.

Times Are Changin’

The materials used now being constructed in dry suits are much lighter and stronger than ever. Now that they are so light, flexible, and tough, many fishermen are thinking it might be time to go back to a bag wader. These waders are 100% dry. If you find a damp area, you have a hole and you can find it and fix it. Want to keep sweat from bothering you in a bag wader? Many different comfortable undergarment options are available, even for summertime use. Modern fabrics are a wonderful thing, and today thin and durable sportswear that will held keep the humidity levels down inside your waders is available. Patagonia Capilene or Silkweight undergarments are just two examples.

The bottom line: Breathables, though comfy and cool, are easily damaged, highly disposable, and not 100 percent waterproof. The only waders that will keep you completely dry while not compromising with flexibility and weight are bag wader constructed from 100% waterproof fabrics.