IP68 Waterproof Walkie Talkies: Can They Really Go Underwater?
IP68 Waterproof Walkie Talkies: Can They Really Go Underwater?
One-sentence answer: An IP68 radio such as the ETMY ET-538 is engineered to survive being submerged in water — but "waterproof" has real limits. IP68 means dust-tight plus continuous immersion under a defined depth and time, not "safe to live in the ocean." Use it right and it will keep talking when other radios quit.
---
1. What does "IP68" actually mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The two digits tell you what the device is sealed against:
| Digit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| First 6 | Fully dust-tight — no sand, dust, or grit gets in. |
| Second 8 | Protected against continuous immersion beyond 1 metre. The exact depth and duration are defined by the manufacturer (commonly 1.5 m for 30+ minutes). |
For context, here is how IP68 compares to the other ratings you will see:
| Rating | Dust | Water test |
|---|---|---|
| IPX7 | Not rated | Immersion to 1 m for 30 min |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | Immersion to 1 m for 30 min |
| IP68 | Dust-tight | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m (maker-defined, deeper/longer) |
The ETMY ET-538 is rated IP68 — its brochure literally shows the radio "soaked in water" during diving, surfing, and boating.
---
2. So… can it actually go underwater? The honest answer
Yes — under the conditions the rating defines:
- Still or gently moving fresh water, within the rated depth and time.
- With seals intact and no prior drops or cracks.
- While the radio is closed and not being operated — see the button warning below.
No — not unconditionally:
- It is not a dive computer. Repeated deep dives and fast pressure changes stress the seals.
- Hot tubs, saunas, and steam defeat gaskets — heat and vapour find their way in.
- A washing machine combines mechanical shock, heat, and detergent — a guaranteed failure.
> ⚠️ Never press the PTT button while the radio is submerged. Actuating the button changes the internal chamber pressure and can pull water past the seal.
---
3. Five myths that quietly kill waterproof radios
- "IP68 means I can swim with it all day." Chlorine, motion, and time age the seals fast. Occasional dunks are fine; living in the pool is not.
- "If it survives fresh water, seawater is the same." Salt corrodes metal and electronics. Always rinse with fresh water after ocean use.
- "Cold-water proof equals hot-water proof." Heat softens and warps rubber gaskets — your waterproofing fails faster in heat than in cold.
- "It's waterproof forever." Seals degrade with age, drops, and temperature cycles. A radio that survived a lake last year may not this year.
- "I can push-to-talk underwater." As above — operating the button underwater risks ingress. Talk above the waterline.
---
4. How to actually use an IP68 radio around water
- Rinse with fresh water after any salt- or chlorine-water exposure.
- Dry thoroughly, paying attention to the charging port and speaker grille.
- Inspect the gasket and port covers before every water outing.
- Use a lanyard or float — waterproof does not mean it floats.
- For swimming or surfing, a dry bag is still smarter than trusting IP68 alone.
---
5. Who actually needs a waterproof radio?
| Scenario | Why waterproof matters |
|---|---|
| Dive & snorkel clubs | Radios get splashed, dropped, and fully submerged |
| Boat crews, docks, fisheries | Constant spray, bilge, and weather |
| Kayak / raft / canyoning guides | Immersion is part of the job |
| Flood rescue & marine security | Comms must survive the environment |
| Construction in rain & mud | Dust plus wash-down exposure |
If your team talks where there is water and no 4G signal, an IP68 analog radio is the right tool — it needs no network to work.
---
6. Waterproof is hardware — range is a different question
IP68 protects the device from water. It does not create range:
- An analog radio's range comes from output power and terrain.
- A 4G PoC radio's range comes from cellular coverage.
So the real choice is about *where you operate*:
- Wet + off-grid (sea, mountains, floods) → an IP68 analog radio like the ETMY ET-538 keeps you talking without a network.
- Wet but connected cities / hotels → a 4G PoC radio gives nationwide push-to-talk (see our guide to public network radios).
---
The bottom line
IP68 waterproof walkie talkies can go underwater — within their rated depth and time, with intact seals, and not while you are pressing buttons. Treat the rating as "survives the dunk," not "lives in the sea," and your radio will outlast the trip.
Need a radio that stays dry and keeps talking where there's no signal? The ETMY ET-538 pairs IP68 submersion protection with analog range that needs no 4G — built for diving, boating, and off-grid crews. Explore the ET-538 →
---
