Yes. The Guardian GPS X14 ankle monitor is rated IP68, so showers and rain are fine and you never take it off to wash. What it isn't built for is soaking: hot tubs, saunas and long swims are off limits, and submersion is limited to about 30 seconds at shallow depth.
Rules are set by your court or supervising officer. If anything here differs from what they told you, follow their instructions.
What the IP68 rating actually means
An IP rating describes how well a device is sealed. The first digit covers dust and the second covers water. IP68 is the highest dust rating and the highest water category, which means the device is protected against immersion under conditions the manufacturer specifies.
For the X14, those conditions are showers, rain and brief swimming, defined as up to 30 seconds submerged at shallow depth. Here is how that plays out day to day:
- Showers: Yes, every day. Wear it the whole time.
- Rain and snow: Yes. It is rated to work from -4°F to 122°F.
- Washing dishes, mopping, getting splashed: Yes.
- A quick dip: Up to about 30 seconds at shallow depth is within spec.
- Long baths: Avoid soaking with the device under water. Keep that ankle out of the water or keep the bath short.
- Hot tubs and saunas: No. Saunas run far hotter than the 122°F operating limit, and hot tubs combine heat with long submersion.
- Swimming laps, pool days, lakes and the ocean: No. Extended or deeper submersion goes beyond what the device is rated for.
Can you swim with an ankle monitor?
Not in the way most people mean it. Wading in or getting splashed at the beach is fine. Swimming laps or spending an afternoon in the pool is not, because the device would stay under water far longer than 30 seconds.
If you have a pool party, a trip to the lake, or a job that puts you around water, talk to your officer or case manager before you go. It's much easier to plan around than to explain a damaged device afterwards.
A simple shower routine
The skin under the strap needs the same care as the rest of your body. A few habits prevent most irritation:
- Wash around and under the strap with mild soap.
- Rinse well so soap doesn't dry against your skin.
- Pat the strap and your ankle dry with a towel. Keep the device away from high heat.
- Check your skin for redness every few days.
- Never loosen or adjust the strap yourself. Stretching the strap or forcing the clasp triggers a tamper alert.
If the strap rubs or your skin stays irritated, call the monitoring center. They can arrange a check of the fit. For other day-to-day questions, see our guide to living and working with an ankle monitor.
What if water gets in or the device acts up?
Call the 24/7 monitoring center right away at (336) 307-6162. They will coordinate a repair or replacement. Don't open the housing to check it: opening the device triggers an immediate tamper alert to the monitoring center and your officer. Reporting a problem quickly is what protects you.
What about the GPS watch and the House Arrest App?
The Guardian GPS Monitoring Watch is also rated IP68, waterproof and dustproof. Follow the same rule of thumb as the ankle monitor and check with your officer before any swimming. If you're on the House Arrest App, there is nothing to wear, so the only thing to keep dry is your own phone.
Frequently asked questions
Do I take the ankle monitor off to shower?
No. The device is built to be worn in the shower. Removing it, stretching the strap or forcing the clasp triggers a tamper alert.
Can I take a bath with an ankle monitor?
A short bath is fine if you avoid soaking the device. It is rated for brief submersion of up to about 30 seconds at shallow depth, so keep that ankle out of the water during a long soak.
Can I use a hot tub or sauna?
No. The device should not be worn in hot tubs or saunas. Saunas exceed its 122 degree Fahrenheit operating limit, and hot tubs mean long submersion.
Can I swim in a pool, lake or the ocean?
Not for extended swimming. Brief submersion of up to about 30 seconds at shallow depth is within spec. Ask your officer before any trip that involves swimming.
What should I do if water damages my ankle monitor?
Call the 24/7 monitoring center right away. They will coordinate a repair or replacement. Do not open the device yourself, because that triggers a tamper alert.
See the full device specs
Water resistance, battery, size and every other detail of the X14 ankle monitor.
Guardian GPS Team
Product updates and field notes from the people building Guardian GPS Monitoring.
