I have to be honest, I have a few electric lighters now. I am very much in love with them. I love the plasma that lights up across them and how it ignites what you are looking to fire up. The fact that the lighter is rechargeable and windproof is just the tip of the iceberg. The do believe the outer shell is the waterproof portion of the lighter, due to it is electric. Therefore, I do not believe that it can be immerged into water. I definitely would not try it open, you may be in for a damaging surprise. I have not read the instructions on the lighter, this is just my sixth sense speaking. However, this is tactical survival gear so you can definitely believe it will survive just about anything you put it through with sense. I definitely recommend this product and it is at a great price for a gift or just to have.