Paper is Important.

As an underwater cave cartographer I am frequently asked all sorts of questions about the cool stuff: the MNemo, survey slates, primary lights, dive duration, and how many dives I've done, but one of the most important pieces of gear I use is waterproof paper - and no one ever asks me about my paper!

Paper is important. And not all papers are the same.

Some waterproof papers will fold, flap, and outright refuse to stay flat for 3 hours straight while you attempt to draw a somewhat accurate underwater cave map. Their waterproof coating rubs off every time you use your eraser - which is often - and then pull apart into tiny fragments of your lifework.

Other papers will suction themselves down onto your sketching slate and outright refuse to move. You can erase at will - no, you can erase with rage, and redo your lifework on that very same sheet of paper tomorrow.

Underwater cave cartography is hard enough as it is. You are going to spend 50% of your time staring at the cave walls, and 50% of your time staring at your paper. So, I will say it again: Paper is important.

Gear Review:
WATERPROOF PAPERS

• by Rory O’Keefe, October 10, 2021

Review Guidelines

Papers will be rated on their performance in seven categories with the totals being averaged for an overall score between 1 (worst) and 5 (best). The seven categories are:

1. Price

2. Printing

3. Waterproofing

4. Tear-Resistance

5. Smudge-Resistance

6. Erasing

7. Alternate Uses

This review will be updated with new types of waterproof papers as they are tested in the long-term.

Rite In The Rain:
All-Weather Copier Paper

Manufacturers Website: Rite In The Rain

Overall Rating: 2.85/5

Rite In The Rain copier paper is an environmentally friendly, wood-based 20# paper with a water-based coating that repels water, mud, grease, sweat, etc. This paper is not actually intended to be used underwater, however, I have found that it still works in a pinch if used with care and a soft pencil lead (6B).

Rite In The Rain, All-Weather Copier Paper:

1. Price: 8.5” x 11” Rite In The Rain All-Weather Copier Paper is available in 3 package sizes for the following MSRPs: 50 sheets for $15 USD (30 cents per sheet), 200 sheets for $35 USD (18 cents per sheet), and 500 sheets for $70 USD (14 cents per sheet). Rating: 4/5

2. Printing: Laser printer and photocopier only. No special printer settings are required to use this paper as it is the same thickness as standard office paper (20#). Printing on both sides of the page is possible but the paper becomes slightly transparent when wet and the opposing image will bleed through the page, making double-sided printing unusable for underwater cave cartography. Rating: 3/5

3. Waterproofing: A thin water-based coating. The paper becomes delicate when submerged but surprisingly lasts multiple dives if treated with care. Does not dry flat. Rating: 2/5

4. Tear-Resistance: This paper can be easily torn underwater if it is not securely taped down to a clipboard. I have never had a sheet completely tear in the water but it is significantly more delicate than synthetic papers. Note that a soft pencil lead such as 6B is mandatory. Harder leads will cut through the papers coating when drawing underwater. Rating: 1/5

5. Smudge-Resistance: Most pencil leads will not easily smudge on this paper, however, soft leads such as 6B must be used underwater to prevent the pencil lead from cutting into the papers coating. Rating: 4/5

6. Erasing: Erasing underwater will quickly rub-off the coating and rip the page. I recommend drawing lightly and darkening the finished lines to avoid the need to erase. Erasing on a dry page is acceptable. Rating: 1/5

7. Alternate Uses: This is an excellent paper for mapping dry or semi-flooded caves, and printing working drafts of a map. Rating: 5/5

Recommendation:

I can only recommend Rite In The Rain's All-Weather Copier Paper as a low cost option to divers mapping short underwater cave projects that require less than a full sheet of paper. For example, this is a practical paper for mapping small sumps, shallow sink holes, and dead-end exploration projects.

For projects that will require more than one dive, I strongly recommend using a more durable synthetic paper.

Note that Rite In The Rain's All-Weather Copier Paper is equally recyclable as standard office paper, unlike the more durable synthetic paper options on the market.

TerraSlate:
5 Mil Waterproof Copy Paper

Manufacturers Website: TerraSlate

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

Terraslate Waterproof Copy Paper is a 100% waterproof and rip-proof sheet of military-grade polyester, also known as, “sythetic paper,” which can be run through any standard laser printer or photocopier.

TerraSlate 5 Mil Waterproof Copy Paper:

1. Price: 8.5” x 11” TerraSlate 5mil Waterproof Copy Paper is available in package sizes for the following MSRPs: 25 sheets for $18 USD (72 cents per sheet), 50 sheets for $33 USD (66 cents per sheet), and 100 sheets for $65 USD (65 cents per sheet). Rating: 3/5

2. Printing: Laser printer, photocopier, or digital printing press. No special printer settings are required to use this paper as it is only slightly thicker than standard office paper (#24). Terraslate is printable on both sides of the page and stays opaque when wet, making both sides of the page usable underwater. Rating: 5/5

3. Waterproofing: 100% waterproof. Water has no effect on this paper. TerraSlate can be hole-punched, folded, and cut while remaining 100% waterproof. Rating: 5/5

4. Tear-Resistance: This paper is extremely durable and will not tear. Rating: 5/5

5. Smudge-Resistance: Soft leads will smudge on this paper when used underwater. I recommend a B or HB lead for underwater use. Note that a B or HB lead can still smudge, but I find harder leads to be too light and difficult to see underwater. Rating: 4/5

6. Erasing: Heavy erasing will remove printer ink from the page, however, I can not say 100% that this is a problem with the paper and not the quality of my printer ink – the paper itself remains intact. Rating: 4.5/5

7. Alternate Uses: An excellent paper for printing waterproof deco tables, underwater instructional materials, etc. There are more affordable options for mapping dry or semi-flooded caves. Rating: 4/5

Recommendation:

I highly recommend TerraSlate 5 Mil Waterproof Copy Paper to anyone that needs to write or draw underwater. This paper is virtually rip-proof and 100% waterproof. It will last long-term and dries flat.

Although TerraSlate’s papers are almost 3x the price of Rite In The Rain All-Weather Copier Paper, keep in mind that both sides of this paper can be used underwater, which effectively reduces that price difference in real-world use.

Note that TerraSlate Waterproof Copy Papers are recyclable, however, TerraSlate states that their paper may not be recyclable into new materials at your local recycling center.

Future Papers to be Tested

• Rite In The Rain: DuraCopy
  A 4.7 Mil waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic copier paper.

• TerraSlate 8 Mil Waterproof Copy Paper
  A 8 Mil waterproof and tear-proof synthetic copier paper.