Can I swim with the Versa in the SEA?

[Carvac]

Hello, 

I have that basic question because I need to see if the sea water is going to harm my Fitbit at all?

Thanks for the response. 

[blu-steel]

I dont see why it would harm it if it can already go down 50 meters. I would wash it with fresh water once you get out though. 

[Carvac]

The reason why I ask this, is because "Sea Water" damages a lot of electronics, for what I've seen... and its different from river water or pool water.

[DramaQueenDiva]

I wouldn't try it.  Will it get water damage?  Probably not.  However, the salt in the salt water may cause some damage.

[Ishrogh · Accepted solution]

Fitbit Versa is “5 ATM” or “Water-Resistant to 50 Meters”.  Or, put another way, it withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters.

But water resistant ISN'T waterproof. 

There is no such thing as a waterproof device.  Every product, no matter how carefully engineered, has a failure point. Every smartphone, every smartwatch, every wearable, every “waterproof” camera, every single device, has a point where a combination of water temperature, depth, length of exposure, or manipulation of the device while submerged, will lead to a failure of the water resisting.

The Versa is well-rated for submersion below shallow depth while swimming.

As for salt water, I wouldn't swim with my Versa in the ocean. When saltwater gets inside a device, it can affect the hardware in two major ways: it can short circuit the device and cause corrosion or buildup. I use my Fitbit devices while sailing on the ocean,  but not while I'm swimming in it.

[cnyram]

I wouldn't. The pins in the bands will corrode with regular exposure to salt water.

[SunsetRunner]

Pebble has similar pins I would swim with that in the gulf often for the past 2 years.. if you rinse it off with clean water afterwards it's okay. The worst thing would be a salt could get into the button area... Pebble 2 doesn't let anything in but this might.

[Kitsune999]

Hello there,

Thank you for your answer.I agree with most what you said but as a swimmer i bought the versa especially because i can swim with it and not think about it.

So you are telling me that if i keep swiming with it and monitor my swiming activities, my waterresistant watch will stop working some day ? Great

[JohnSimas]

I used my Versa for swimming in the pool multiple times over several months with no problems. Then I used it to swim in the ocean (shallow water up to 10 feet) the other day and immediately began having problems with the battery not holding a charge for longer than a few hours. Not sure if it was just coincidence but I'm glad that fitbit is replacing my Versa at no charge since it is under warranty. However, I will not go swimming in the ocean with my new one.  

[Vickid425]

I spent 10 minutes splashing around in the ocean and my Versa failed immediately-  no corrosion or buildup possible. I'm now on my 3rd Versa. Customer service is not very responsive.  Fortunately I bought it at a store that has a generous return policy. 

[Vickid425]

Get a Garmin. My husband swims daily with his! I swam for 10 minutes and my Versa failed!

[ItaK]

I already had a Fitbit Flexi specially for swimming and it lasted three months only in a pool and I’m wondering about my new Versa in the pool can I risked it

[Sbriske]

Do not swim in Ocean with your fitbit.

I just cooked my Ionic. The salt kills it.

I have swam many times in pools and fresh water lakes with no problem, but the Ocean will ruin it.

SB

[ItaK]

I have been swimming three times a week for the last year in a swimming
pool and it works brilliant so very happy with it

[Leakimsays]

Same thing happened with my versa after a few weeks swimming in the ocean. I’m not going to risk it with my replacement. 

[Nauti-Guy]

I wouldn't. Saltwater is highly conductive and the charging pads are exposed on the back of the watch which could easily short out causing poof!

[mommac48]

so the reason I bought the watch was to track my activity. Salty sweat must kill it too. Nice

[Mehilburn]

Don't do it. I just got back from a trip where my Versa was exposed to saltwater. The first time was brief and I noticed the screen acting up, it was stuck scrolling through apps screens. It stopped and started working properly again. A couple of days later I wore my versa in the ocean again, for about 30 - 45 minutes this time. It died. At first, it was still sending alerts and counting steps but the screen was blank. Then, when the battery died, it would not recharge.

[mommac48]

Thank you. I am more concerned swimming in my salt water pool. But I am thinking that your experience would apply here too. I will remove it before I jump in. Better safe than sorry. Thank you again for your insight

Fran McElroy
Sent from my iPhone

[Solly08]

It's too late for you now. And too late for me. But hopefully others can be saved!

I was stupid enough to swim in the sea with my Versa this summer

8 months of twice weekly swimming in a pool tracked my activity automatically like a dream.

After three days in the sea in Italy the left button went. I struggled on with the 'lift your hand to see the time' function. Then that went and I couldn't change the screen at all. Then the bluetooth connection to my smartphone went

It died a painful death over the course of a week. Now it's gone. Out of warranty, I will get another but be a bit more careful!