|
|
|
UER Store
|
|
sweet UER decals:
|
|
|
|
Activity
|
|
916 online
Server Time:
2024-03-29 14:57:34
|
|
|
stickbeat
Location: Peterborough Gender: Female Total Likes: 25 likes
| | | Gearing up for drains < on 8/6/2014 3:40 AM > | Reply with Quote
| | | Like I said before: long-time explorer here. Never done drains, though - it had never occurred to me to enter one, but the photos I've seen have got me hankerin' after the experience. For you drainers, what gear's good gear to have for a drain? Rather, how d'you kit yourselves out? Considering the utter nastiness that might be found under the city, what kind of precautions do you take (e.g 'don't enter with any open wounds whatsoever' or something). Basic practicality says rubber boots (or even fisher's coveralls?), a respirator, flashlight, and reflective tape. I'm hoping that, when I eventually do find someone willing to guide me in, I'll be able to avoid sewers - but there's no guarantee there (I have no idea, maybe Toronto just mixes its wastewater together?) What can I expect in the drains, and what's the best way to prep for it?
| - A. |
| billgeorge
Location: Burnaby Gender: Male Total Likes: 96 likes
| | | Re: Gearing up for drains < Reply # 7 on 8/6/2014 7:19 AM > | Reply with Quote
| | |
| |
| Astro Usually naked
Location: The Delta Quadrant Gender: Male Total Likes: 791 likes
Resistance is Futile
| | | Re: Gearing up for drains < Reply # 9 on 8/6/2014 3:15 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | Things you need [to know] for storm drains: Flashlights, bring a few. Seriously. I carry like 5, usually. Along with a few batteries. My phone? It never sees drains. You don't usually get signal in them, anyways. So taking them risks damaging them for literally no reason at all. Gases? If the drain isn't moving (assuming it has water in it), it's more likely to be an issue. What you're specifically talking about (probably) is anaerobic bacteria that don't use oxygen to survive, and often release methane gases, especially when bothered. They're located in places without much airflow, moving water usually indicates airflow. I have an aversion to wet pants. My OCD can't handle it, it's gross. So, I wear a dress and my Harley boots when draining. Waders are the common choice, though, because they keep everything dry and protected from germs or what have you Have fun. Don't get too worked up about it. It's a drain, not the firey pits of hell that you're exploring. Once you do it, you'll realize what your draining style is and isn't and what you will and won't enjoy. Don't Stop Me Now by astroberkman17, on Flickr Have fun & Drain On.
| [02:33:56] <Valkyre> Astro your whole life is ruled by the sentence ' life is better without clothes on' [22:16:00] <DSomms> it was normal until astro got here Astro: Patron Saint of Drains |
| terapr0
Location: Sauga City Gender: Male Total Likes: 341 likes
www . tohellandback . net
| | | | Re: Gearing up for drains < Reply # 11 on 8/12/2014 12:06 AM > | Reply with Quote
| | | as others have mentioned, it really depends on the drain. I've worn everything from water shoes (cleanish storm drains) to chest waders (full on waist-deep sanitary shit sewers). I'd avoid a respirator, even in sanitary sewers. They arent going to do anything to protect you from dangerous gases (H2S displaces oxygen and anything but an SCBA setup won't save you) and will inevitably get saturated with water vapor and simply inhibit your breathing. Perhaps an N95 paper mask to help stop shit-spray from getting into your mouth, but even that's rarely a problem. In short: - suitable shoes (location defendant) - hand sanitizer (I've done almost 100 drains and I always seem to forget this at home) - a good sturdy headlamp with fresh batteries - at least 2 or 3 good reliable flashlights with fresh batteries (no shitty keychain LEDs, glow sticks, $5 DX lights or cell-phone flashes. spend at least $50-100 and buy a good quality brand-name light that isnt going to shit out when you're underground) - a backpack to carry all of your stuff in. Something with lots of pockets - cargo pants/shorts (carrying stuff in your pockets is easier than keeping it in your backpack....clean/dry places to put your bag down tend to be few and far between) - change of batteries - a good sturdy tripod. Just like the flashlight, spend a bit of $$$ and buy something heavy enough not to get washed away in the flow or damaged when you inevitably slip and fall on top of it. - a sense of imagination and creativity. underground light painting is one of the most satisfying types of photography. It's always rewarding to make a stunning image from inside a dark, otherwise depressing space thats mostly devoid of interesting features. - gloves (not needed, but often times nice to have, especially when climbing rusted out crumbling rungs caked with tampons and dirty condoms) - properly calibrated multi-gas meter. (I don't own one myself, but if you're at all concerned about hazardous gases this is the only thing thats going to do anything to actually keep you safe. anything else is a useless placebo.) When I first started I used to bring everything but the kitchen sink, however over the years I've gradually streamlined my kit and this is what I'd currently bring with me for any average storm/sanitary sewer. Some special locations may require additional equipment like ropes, SRT equipment, credibility props, but those are few, far between, and not something you'll need to worry about right off the bat. No matter what you bring, do go in big drains. Just not when it rains
[last edit 8/12/2014 12:07 AM by terapr0 - edited 1 times]
| www.tohellandback.net |
| Dougo Wrong account -- Look for other Doug
Location: Victoria, Australia Gender: Male Total Likes: 202 likes
| | | | Re: Gearing up for drains < Reply # 16 on 8/22/2014 11:44 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | |
| FacialBook is killing online forums. |
| Jared Kat
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA Total Likes: 10 likes
Coming to a drain near you!
| | | Re: Gearing up for drains < Reply # 17 on 9/15/2014 1:53 AM > | Reply with Quote
| | | I'd agree with most everyone else here, that you could go into a tunnel with the minimalistic mindset with gear if it was a simple storm drain. I've checked out some drains using just the torch on my phone, and while it's possible to enjoy the experience like that, things are a lot better if you go out and get yourself a decent headlamp and at least a couple back up torches. On the shoes argument, I'd highly recommend going with something that you feel may have good traction. I'm not sure how common it is with other locals or municipalities, but at least where I am, somewhat steeply angled short sections of tunnels are absolutely the most slick things you'll ever encounter, covered in the moss or whatever is coating the concrete. I've been known to slip and fall quite a few times. If your drain is small, I'd recommend going in with some sort of head protection on, this could be a bike helmet (Inconspicuous) or a hard hat (If you want to go the credibility prop route). I've been glad to have a bike helmet on when exploring those 5 foot RCP's (Round Concrete Pipes), it's saved my head from quite a few violent knocks. If you can find drains big enough and dry enough, I've found it incredibly fun to ride bikes through the tunnels. I wouldn't exactly recommend that in RCP style tunnels, but say, a 14 foot wide by 8 foot tall arch tunnel, and well, you're promised a good time. Either way, it really does depend on your comfort level. In my town, our sewers and our storm drains are completely separate, so I've got no problems walking through the water polluted with the standard city pollution (Oil, grass clippings, etc), though, if you'd like to avoid that, or plan on visiting your sewer system, definitely waders and whatnot. I'd also like to make a point that I've never had an issue with air whilst draining before. In my experience, there's generally a slight wind through the tunnels coming in from inlets upstream that have a higher air pressure or whatever. Also, a note, I've had a recent run-in with a lost dog recently in a tunnel. I'd recommend making noise as you're going through the tunnel if on your own, or keeping a conversation going if you're with a friend to scare off any stray pets or animals that would otherwise be surprised by your arrival. I'd consider myself lucky that in my instance, the dog decided not to maul us and became a short term friend on our journey. Also, if you're looking into doing underground photography, well, make sure to find yourself a camera that allows for manual settings of the aperature, shutter speed, and preferably does long-exposure shots. I'm sure there's a much more fitting article in the photography section of the forum if you want to get into all of that though. Anyway, I wish you the best in your ventures.
| In a society that has destroyed all adventure, the only adventure left is to destroy that society |
|
|
This thread is in a public category, and can't be made private. |
|
All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site:
UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service |
View Privacy Policy |
Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 113 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 737122999 pages have been generated.
|
|