What Steps to Take if your iPod, PDA, or Cell Phone gets Wet.

It has happened to so many of us with our cell phones, PDA’s, and iPod’s. Accidental water damage to a small device can be catastrophic. What should you do to save whatever is left?

Step 1. Get it out of the water. Whether it is a toilet bowl or a puddle the faster you get it out the faster you have a chance of saving it. I managed to save a few cell phones by following these steps.

Step 2. If it’s a phone make sure to turn it off and take the battery out.

Step 3. I try to gently shake any excess water I can get out of the device first. This has turned into a vigorous shake at times. Due to the hard drives in many of the iPod’s I suggest keeping this to a minimum.

Step 4. Some say that using a hairdryer or oven is a bad idea. I have had luck using an air conditioner actually. I place the device near the front blower of an AC and the cold dry air can help dry out the device safely. Others have used their car for drying. When drying an iPod it works best to keep the screen facing down and the metal plated side up. You can stick the iPod on your car dash for a few hours in the sun and this should generate enough heat to start the drying process. You can also try lights or a heat lamp, again keep the iPod screen facing downward and face the lights at the back. Be careful not to let it sit too long under a hot lamp.

Step 5. Let it sit. I suggest letting the device sit for a few days in a dry spot before trying to turn it on or plug it in. If it’s an iPod keep it face down.

Remember if you are trying to save your iPod keep it face down and use one of the above mentioned suggestions.

Good Luck, I hope this can help some of you out there.