Phone Falls into Portable Toilet

If your phone falls into a portable toilet, do not blindly reach in to retrieve it. Instead, try using tools or special methods, and ensure proper drying after retrieval.

Precautions During Retrieval

1. Do Not Reach In Directly
   The design of the蹲坑 (squat toilet) pipe in portable toilets is unique. When reaching in with the flow of water, there is minimal friction, making it difficult to retrieve the phone against the current. If there is standing water in the toilet, the air pressure inside the pipe is lower than the outside, requiring you to overcome the pressure difference when pulling out your arm, which could result in your arm getting stuck. Additionally, contact with fecal water can cause bacterial infections or skin diseases. There was a case where a man got his arm stuck while reaching in to retrieve his phone and required 40 minutes of rescue by firefighters to free himself.

2. Prioritize Using Tools for Retrieval

   • Gloves + Plastic Bag Method: Use a thick plastic bag to cover your forearm, reach as far into the pipe as possible, gently grasp the edge of the phone, and slowly lift it up. If your arm is too thick, try using a slender tool to assist.
   • Double-Sided Tape/Strong Adhesive Tape Method: Attach double-sided tape or folded cloth-based tape to the end of a thin stick (such as chopsticks or a long screwdriver), reach into the pipe, gently press it against the surface of the phone, wait a few seconds, and then lift it vertically. The tape can conform to the irregular surface of the phone, providing more stability than wire.
   • Suction Cup Rod Method: Purchase a "phone retrieval tool for toilets" or "telescopic suction cup rod" online (priced around 20-30 yuan). Its flexible shaft can bend, and the suction cup can adhere to a wet screen. Search for "phone retrieval tool" on food delivery platforms for delivery within half an hour.

3. Special Case Handling
   If tool retrieval is ineffective, consider disassembling the toilet: Use a wrench to loosen the connecting screws between the toilet and the floor, lift the toilet to retrieve the phone. Be sure to prepare a sealing ring in advance (disassembly may damage it), or contact a handyman for assistance (costing around 100 yuan).

Post-Retrieval Handling Steps

1. Do Not Turn On Immediately: The phone may have internal water damage, and turning it on while wet will inevitably cause a short circuit.
2. Absorb Surface Moisture: Use dry paper towels or cotton cloth to absorb moisture from the surface of the phone, paying special attention to cleaning the charging port and headphone jack.
3. Dry with Cold Air: Use a hairdryer on the cold air setting to dry the charging port and headphone jack (hot air can damage the waterproof seal).
4. Drying Agent Treatment: Bury the phone in a bag of dry rice or silica gel drying agents and seal it for more than 24 hours.
5. Turn On After Confirming Dryness: If the phone still does not turn on, take it to a repair shop to have the motherboard cleaned to prevent corrosion damage.