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 denryuu
  
Gender: Male
 |  | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 20 on 1/14/2009 12:55 AM >
|  | | | For lack of better things to do in turn-abandoned-things-into-condos land, most of my exploration experience (I started like...2 months ago?) has been in draining.
I've never been in a pipe that's big enough to stand up in, so I might be biased so here goes:
That stone tunnel thing looks awesome. I can't really tell, but it looks like it's maybe 3-4' high? I'd say just strap on some rubber boots (or old shoes, I guess) and go for it! It doesn't seem small enough that you'd have to crawl, although be prepared to have what I like to call drainer's thigh for the next few days (it hurts). As far as air quality, I'd just advise getting something that could keep out mold, since that seems like a prime place for it.
But think of it this way: instead of asking yourself why to explore it, why not explore it? If you don't you'll be wondering about it for lord knows how long, and it could lead to somewhere really cool. A drain near my school that I take a friend or two into sometimes has been bugging me lately because last time we went about half a mile through 3' pipes and got to a room where you go up a ledge and it expands to a 4' or 5' pipe. All that keeps popping into my mind is 'what the hell is past there?'
I kinda rambled a bit, but I think you get the general gist of what I'm saying: just go ahead and do it, you never know what it could hide. Take boots and maybe a mask if you think the mold will be bad. Wear a hat if you think there might be things on the ceiling. Leave if you don't feel right, trust your intuition.
And as far as the manhole with stepirons: honestly, you may end up being disappointed. It might be because I live in suburbia, but every manhole leads to an underground chamber that looks promising, but just has 1' pipes running through it.
So, from one amateur drainer to another, go for it and good luck!
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AnAppleSnail
 
Location: Charlotte, NC
Gender: Male
ALL the flashlights!
| |  |  | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 22 on 1/14/2009 1:47 AM >
| | | | Posted by shotgun_mario
keep at it.... eventually your thighs will quit hurting if you do it enough. First few times I couldn't walk up stairs for the next 3 days, but now there's nothing at all.
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Oh man, I took my roommate in, and later my dad. They were crippled! Me too, the first long drain I went in. Just imagine how good you'll be at squat-lifting though.
Achievement Unlocked
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denryuu
Gender: Male
| | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 23 on 1/14/2009 1:50 AM >
| | | | Posted by shotgun_mario
keep at it.... eventually your thighs will quit hurting if you do it enough. First few times I couldn't walk up stairs for the next 3 days, but now there's nothing at all.
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Haha, yeah, that's exactly what it's like. Although for me it's walking down stairs, dunno why.
I'm definitely sticking with it; even if it never got easier, I love draining so it's all worth it.
Still though, it'd be so nice to someday find a drain that's big enough to stand up straight in. As of now, we just take it section-by-section and take manhole rooms as a blessing.
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shotgun mario
Location: MSP
Gender: Male
MSP Elite™ Card-Carrying Member
| | | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 24 on 1/14/2009 2:54 AM >
| | | | Posted by denryuu
Still though, it'd be so nice to someday find a drain that's big enough to stand up straight in. As of now, we just take it section-by-section and take manhole rooms as a blessing.
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I'm sure there are drains. How do you usually go about hunting them?
here's an old post of mine with ways to find drains:
http://www.uer.ca/...urrpage=1&pp#post1
hopefully that will help anyone trying, but not succeeding, in larger drains. I've personally only found a handful of large ones in my area, but it's helped to find lots of other drains.
If you want to protect the locations you love to explore, don't talk about them online in public!
If you want to make exploring friends, send people private messages! Meet up in real life! Get off the internet!
Don't try to have a UER e-penis! You won't impress anyone! This especially means you, Minneapolis MN newbies! |
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AnAppleSnail
Location: Charlotte, NC
Gender: Male
ALL the flashlights!
| | | | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 25 on 1/14/2009 2:59 AM >
| | | | Posted by denryuu
Haha, yeah, that's exactly what it's like. Although for me it's walking down stairs, dunno why.
I'm definitely sticking with it; even if it never got easier, I love draining so it's all worth it.
Still though, it'd be so nice to someday find a drain that's big enough to stand up straight in. As of now, we just take it section-by-section and take manhole rooms as a blessing.
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Skunneling, yep. It works surprisingly well, although noisy. Make sure you have gloves though! I took mine off to operate the camera. Once I get free time I'll probably replace those with larger skateboard wheels. Basically lift your weight off the back of the board once your back wheels are going over the seams, and you won't usually get bogged unless the RCP is in bad shape.
Do not careen downhill headfirst while exploring unless your head (or hat!) is much harder than mine.
EDIT: Richmond. Magnum. Just a nice long walk with shin-deep water (kneedeep at entrance).
Group in Magnum crossover
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Magnum hallway
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Group at magnum
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[last edit 1/14/2009 3:03 AM by AnAppleSnail - edited 1 times]
Achievement Unlocked
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Beta
Location: Georgia
Gender: Male
Under the Gun
| |  | | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 26 on 1/14/2009 6:14 PM >
| | | | You guys are lucky. And is the skateboard thing common? I've thought about it, but never actually thought it'd be in use.
*rimshot* |
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MindHacker
Location: Suburbs of DC
Gender: Male
If you spot a terrorist arrow, pin it to the wall with your shoulder.
| | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 27 on 1/14/2009 8:24 PM >
| | | | Posted by Beta
You guys are lucky. And is the skateboard thing common? I've thought about it, but never actually thought it'd be in use.
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I've tried skateboards, scooters, and wagons... none of them are fantastic, but they are better than nothing. Well, scooter is only good downhill. For some of the huge drains people use bikes... I've yet to experience the joy that is multi-mile draining glory.
"That's just my opinion. I would, however, advocate for explosive breaching, since speed and looking cool are both concerns in my job."-Wilkinshire |
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Chris Hansen
I'm Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC. Why dont you have a seat over there?
| | | | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 28 on 1/16/2009 6:24 PM >
| | | | Posted by Beta
You guys are lucky. And is the skateboard thing common? I've thought about it, but never actually thought it'd be in use.
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it is worth it if you find a very small tunnel like mine: http://www.youtube...ature=channel_page
the video would have looked much better and been much steadier if i had a skateboard underneath me. just pick up a crappy target/walmart board and you wont be sorry.
short answer it is very common
My name is Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC's To Catch a Predator. Why don't you have a seat over there? |
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denryuu
Gender: Male
| | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 30 on 1/17/2009 3:16 PM >
| | | | Posted by shotgun_mario
I'm sure there are drains. How do you usually go about hunting them?
here's an old post of mine with ways to find drains:
http://www.uer.ca/...urrpage=1&pp#post1
hopefully that will help anyone trying, but not succeeding, in larger drains. I've personally only found a handful of large ones in my area, but it's helped to find lots of other drains.
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Thanks, I haven't even thought of some of those. I think I'm going to see if I can just get a city map of the storm drains, if only to see where we travel relative to the surface.
Posted by AnAppleSnail
Skunneling, yep. It works surprisingly well, although noisy. Make sure you have gloves though! I took mine off to operate the camera. Once I get free time I'll probably replace those with larger skateboard wheels. Basically lift your weight off the back of the board once your back wheels are going over the seams, and you won't usually get bogged unless the RCP is in bad shape.
Do not careen downhill headfirst while exploring unless your head (or hat!) is much harder than mine.
EDIT: Richmond. Magnum. Just a nice long walk with shin-deep water (kneedeep at entrance).
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We should've brought skateboards yesterday; my group and I spent about 90 minutes going through 2 and 3 foot pipe, tried to pop a manhole to get out, and then realized they were frozen. We had to go back the way we came, and then water started pouring in from a side pipe..it was really fun, but horrible at the same time. Skateboards would've made it go a lot faster, although some parts there was no way a board could've gone through because there were rocks and 2-3 inch deep water and stuff.
And oh man..Magnum. I lived in Richmond until about a year ago, and I plan on checking that drain out as soon as I get back there.
One last thing; does anyone know what kind of gas you'd find in drains? I was guessing methane because of decomposing leaves and stuff like that. I ask because there was a lot of stagnant water in one of the sections and my friend slipped into the water and disturbed it and shortly after the air started tasting funny and we were a little lightheaded.
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Kodxi
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Gender: Female
| | | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 31 on 1/19/2009 8:09 AM >
|  | | | Erm, I think that would be a particular kind of carbon (monoxide?) or something, either way, not good. Head out immediately at that time because the air quality is dropping. Light-headedness means your're not getting enough oxygen. It could be either carbon monoxide or methane. Sometimes gases can be contained by the water.
Kodxi |
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MindHacker
Location: Suburbs of DC
Gender: Male
If you spot a terrorist arrow, pin it to the wall with your shoulder.
| | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 32 on 1/19/2009 5:29 PM >
| | | | tl:dr; You can't smell CO / CO2, so it was probably h2s (if it was bad) or poop mixed with oxygen deprivation.
http://www.cat.org...dator/approach.htm will answer a lot of these questions, I quoted the gasses part for you though
Hydrogen Sulfide
�����������A 533;�����
Gas Detectors are set to alarm at 10 parts per million, indicating for
relevant parties to evacuate the area immediately. The area must be
ventilated and re�tested before any personnel may legally enter the confined
space. Hydrogen Sulfide is a dangerous gas as the sense of smell diminishes
with this gas. One could have a false sense of security if they smell the gas
and continue to stay in the hazardous area. The Board's Instruction 800
states that you must evacuate the area immediately.
Hydrogen Sulfide is a colourless gas and is very flammable, which sometimes
has the odour of rotten eggs. It is heavier than air and is often detected at
the bottom of manholes and trenches. After 2 to 15 minutes exposure humans
lose the ability to smell Hydrogen Sulfide and it is then that Hydrogen
Sulfide becomes dangerous as its presence is no longer apparent without
testing!
Carbon Monoxide
����������� 5533;���
Carbon Monoxide is colourless, odourless, flammable and very toxic. Its
presence can only be detected evenly by proper testing. Don't be fooled in
thinking you can smell this gas because you can smell exhaust fumes from a
car, as said before this gas is odourless!
This gas is a chemical asphyxiant and is readily absorbed by the haemoglobin
in the blood. Then haemoglobin is unable to transport oxygen to the body
tissues and the body becomes oxygen starved. Actually, the body will absorb
carbon monoxide 300 times more readily than it absorbs oxygen. Excess Carbon
Monoxide causes headaches, heart palpitations, with a tendency to stagger
when walking, mental confusion.
Gas Detectors are calibrated to alarm at 50 part per million of atmosphere.
Any reading above this must be treated as a hazard to your health, as this
gas can also kill you if the level is high enough, and the dosage is
cumulative.
Methane
�������
This is another odourless gas which is also explosive. Hydrogen Sulfide and
Methane can be tricky gases. One example is that the area can be deemed safe
by using a correctly calibrated gas detector ...but the trap can be that
there is sludge on the ground which once disturbed (e.g. by walking through)
can emit toxic lethal doses of Hydrogen Sulfide and Methane which can kill
you. There are a few case histories in the industry where an employee has
collapsed and his colleague has gone to help (natural instinct) and has also
fallen victim and collapsed and died too. This HAS actually happened and has
been documented!
Gas detectors are set to alarm at 5% of the lower explosive limit. This is
considered to be a safe working precaution under the Board's Instruction 800.
Oxygen
������
Oxygen levels must be in the range of 19% � 21% to sustain a premium supply
to the human body. Lower levels will cause head aches, dizziness, weakness
and finally collapsing. No oxygen, means no life! Also too much oxygen can
cause unusual behaviour in you or your colleague. One can become irrational,
suddenly happy (etc) and too much oxygen is also a fire risk (it vigorously
accelerates combustion)! Experiment...get a normal rag and try to light it
with a match...take note how much effort is needed to ignite the rag to burn.
Now get an oxy bottle and hit the rag with a burst of oxygen for a few
seconds... now light the rag again � WOOSH! You will be surprised at the
difference.
Oxygen may be used up by the rusting of fittings and steelwork and by aerobic
bacteria (i.e. oxygen-using bacteria). Oxygen may also be displaced in a
confined space by heavier flammable gases, toxic vapours and inert gases.
The effect of Oxygen is summarised in the following...
21% Normal behaviour
16% Increased breathing/pulse rate; headaches; nausea
12% Dizziness; nausea; reduced muscle power
10% Turns pale, becomes unconscious
8% Unconscious, fatal in 7�8 minutes
Drain exploring can be challenging and adventurous, but you must think of
what you are doing as dangerous and you must consider having a professional
attitude. Think intelligently and be alert!!!! If Hydrogen Sulphide is
lurking about in the atmosphere or trapped under sludge in a confined space,
don't think "Hey this dude is an experienced Clan man, it won't bother him".
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"That's just my opinion. I would, however, advocate for explosive breaching, since speed and looking cool are both concerns in my job."-Wilkinshire |
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Dick Winter
Location: Richmond
Gender: Male
| | Re: Drains, Sewers, Spelunking, how do you go about it?
<Reply # 33 on 2/28/2009 5:13 AM >
| | | | Posted by MindHacker
I've tried skateboards, scooters, and wagons... none of them are fantastic, but they are better than nothing. Well, scooter is only good downhill. For some of the huge drains people use bikes... I've yet to experience the joy that is multi-mile draining glory.
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Biking in drains is awesome. when i bike, I am actually lower than when i stand up. which is great, because all the drains that I've found are about 3 inches to short for me.
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