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I've been to a few storm drains and overflows, but it seems like most of the city only has actual poop pipes for tunnels. (6/8/10 foot brick and stone, and the one spot I could see in has about 18 inches of fast flowing crude sewage and a noticeable breeze)
If you were to explore that and plan on going a few miles in the tunnel, would you use any different gear than for an ordinary drain? Mask? Goggles? Hazmat suit? Anything else I might not think of?
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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Not a good idea. With poor ventilation and especially if the sewage flow is stagnant you may end up dead; methane and worse H2S.
Trained professionals die like this every year.
https://www.washin...term=.9e84da278615
Pathogens of which there are many, are another possible issue.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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It's not at all stagnant, rather the opposite, and excessively so. I'd be more worried about slipping and being taken away with the current. Does wind in the tunnel (parallel with the flow of poop) say anything about whether there's air?
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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My understanding of raw sewage is that it wont be all shit-filled water and you are likely to detect a shampoo smell. Not that I have tested.
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The only type I refuse to explore and with good reason.
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Posted by Steed
My understanding of raw sewage is that it wont be all shit-filled water and you are likely to detect a shampoo smell. Not that I have tested.
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I know it's raw sewage from seeing the turds and globs of TP go sailing past, there's no question it's shit creek. You're right though about the smell, it didn't stink, maybe because it's so cold? Or the shampoo.
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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Posted by Make America Abandoned Again
It's not at all stagnant, rather the opposite, and excessively so. I'd be more worried about slipping and being taken away with the current. Does wind in the tunnel (parallel with the flow of poop) say anything about whether there's air?
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"A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles."
Just something to consider. I've only been in one sewer and I noticed there are pits and such that if you get taken by the current I doubt you'd survive falling into.Being drown by shit seems like a bad way to go. Be safe!
"First rule of space travel, kids, is always answer distress beacons. 9 out of 10 times it's a ship full of dead bodies and free shit." |
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Posted by Granuaile
"A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles."
Just something to consider. I've only been in one sewer and I noticed there are pits and such that if you get taken by the current I doubt you'd survive falling into.Being drown by shit seems like a bad way to go. Be safe!
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Expect to slip and to fall.
You may not drown but being covered in shit isn't the kind of thing I like to do...
I see a career as a waste water worker in your future...
[last edit 1/22/2017 4:50 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Hmm. Well it seems like some people do it though. Was hoping for actual advice from someone who's been...
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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https://www.cdc.go...handlingwaste.html
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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I've explored many sewers. They're MUCH more dangerous than drains, but can be done in some circumstances. I don't recommend doing them until you have a lot of storm drain experience under your belt.
In general, yes, a high airflow should mean you're fairly safe (in theory). A large-diameter tunnel is also better than a small one. Regardless, err on the side of caution if you ever feel even the slightest physical sign of bad air. The first sign is often confusion. Don't bother with a respirator (those stylish gas masks that are popular with explorers) - it isn't going to protect you from methane at all, and they just make it harder to breathe. Unless you just like it for cutting down on the smell.
As others have said, they really aren't that "poopy". They're more just soapy, and not as disgusting as you might expect. But I'd still recommend chest waders, gloves, and a raincoat with a hood (there's usually stuff dripping from the ceilings). When it comes to chest waders, you'll get what you pay for. Having a leak really sucks, so spend a little more on the good ones. That'll also help with keeping your footing.
I've been in some pretty high flow sewers, but never seen one where the flow was honestly that dangerous, beyond maybe slipping and falling. But that doesn't mean such a sewer doesn't exist!
[last edit 1/24/2017 7:43 AM by DJ Craig - edited 2 times]
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess |
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I wouldn't even think of it except for the fact that it (or another one in the same system, can't tell without the pictures) has been done before 8 years ago.
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=74374
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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Posted by DJ Craig
Don't bother with a respirator (those stylish gas masks that are popular with explorers) - it isn't going to protect you from methane at all, and they just make it harder to breathe. Unless you just like it for cutting down on the smell.
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wow, I would have thought that would be the most important part, to not breathe in the bacteria and come down with a case of E. Coli or worse. But then I guess that makes a lot of sense, it's not like I'm drinking the sewage even without a mask.
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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Good lights (plural!), gloves, and drain boots/hip waders/chest waders depending on how deep you're comfortable with going. I like to wear a hat with a good brim, on account of the shitcicles you might find.
Take it easy for your first couple forays while you get accustomed to it. Have you done much draining? Ultimately it's not so very different. If you can bring an experienced friend/accomplice with you the first couple times, so much the better.
Some people do wear the particulate style respirators to keep airborne shit out or even just as a reminder not to touch your face, but those things make it damned hard to drink your beer while you're wearing it, so...
If there's good airflow you SHOULD be ok, but even in storm drains, you have to keep a close check on yourself. ALWAYS err on the side of caution, none of this is worth dying for.
Definitely don't lick the walls.
And if your beer falls into the flow, it's just gone, man.
It's just gone.
I'm a "Leave only footprints, take only pornography" kind of guy, myself. |
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I actually went to 5 out of 4 drains in the area years ago (there used to be one more than there is now, but it got welded shut) back when that was a thing around here, but draining is dead here. If I bring someone with me they're either from out of state, it's their first time underground, or most likely both.
I didn't even think about the beer part, yeah that's a problem! I have a full respirator but use it inconsistently at best, mostly just in places that have obscene amounts of mold, or used to be toxic chemical factories.
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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Posted by Make America Abandoned Again
I've been to a few storm drains and overflows, but it seems like most of the city only has actual poop pipes for tunnels. (6/8/10 foot brick and stone, and the one spot I could see in has about 18 inches of fast flowing crude sewage and a noticeable breeze)
If you were to explore that and plan on going a few miles in the tunnel, would you use any different gear than for an ordinary drain? Mask? Goggles? Hazmat suit? Anything else I might not think of?
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All you need to know is in this archive. Read them ALL carefully, Pay particular attention to the Stahlmann's Brewery Cellar.
http://www.actions...g/underground.html
Pay very close attention to that.
The personal responsibility train left the station years ago, and you gave it the finger as you watched it leave. |
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why not a drysuit if you're really worried about getting the ick on you (or in you)?
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Not all that worried about on me, more in me. But looking at that previous link and other people's results, it doesn't seem to be as bad as i thought?
Please do not mistake me for one of those people... |
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Posted by Make America Abandoned Again
Not all that worried about on me, more in me. But looking at that previous link and other people's results, it doesn't seem to be as bad as i thought?
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Read every word.
http://www.actionsquad.org/stahl.htm
The personal responsibility train left the station years ago, and you gave it the finger as you watched it leave. |
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Bill cant read this he is taking a brief time out .
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Ethics
