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1 2   UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Bad Experience Draining... (Viewed 1865 times) HungarianSM  Location: Toronto, Canada Gender: Male Eh?  |  Bad Experience Draining... < on 3/19/2012 7:55 PM >   Hey guys, Just thought I'd share my latest, and probably last drain for a little while as I had a terrible experience So starting at the beginning, it hasn't rained in my area for about a week now, so I assumed it was okay to enter a drain outfall from a stormwater pond area near my house, Entrance was moderately difficult, but it seemed like there was little water flowing into the drain, all seems okay right? Immediately upon entering there was a very thick fog in the drain for about 50 or so yards, my visibility was almost zero and I had to feel my way down the drain, scary much? I Proceeded about 2-300 yards down the drain before the water almost completely dried up, only flowing straight down the Round concrete pipe, however, after about 10 more feet, there was a sudden drop of about 5 feet down an incline in the drain where the water seemed to go up to the knees of an average adult man, Not wanting to turn back, i rolled up my jeans, and pressed on, I observed a couple of outfall ladders every 20-50 ft or so, but no other drains or turns, etc... At this point I saw a furry creature start actually swimming towards me down the drain which freaked me the fuck out, but it was only a pair of friendly otters, (Or beavers, it was dark as shit) As I went on, I navigated around their little dam they had built up in the drain and at this point I started getting a feeling of unease, the water got deeper as I went further down, and at one point it was up to my waist, disgusting huh? I went on until it was mid-stomach then decided, fuck this Im going home, theres nothing interesting here, however I saw another ladder up ahead, and a connecting drain leading under the highway! So I pressed on, but after about 20 feet I started feeling dizzy, and observed maybe hundreds of dead fish in the drain and a strong smell of sulfur, and something else, but the smell went away so I got scared as shit because of what I;ve read here, so I held my breath and immediately pulled out my chemical respirator (rated for escape from H2s, So I had about 5 min max.) I bolted out of the drain and immediately headed home, soaked and tired, not worth it at all... can anyone point out what the hell was wrong with this drain? after the drop I saw almost no flowing water, and when I had a smoke all of the air seemed to flow towards the entrance I came from, is it possible that this drain is blocked off? Thanks guys, Skys the limit! :) Captain_Slow  The infamous Buttram Manfist Location: Dallas, Tx Gender: Male Obviously capable of mediocre things.  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 1 on 3/19/2012 8:09 PM >   Stangnant water. It sounds like the drain is rather poorly constructed in a fashion that allows a large body of water to remain sitting, stagnating for long periods of time. When water sits in a drain that long, it collects leaves and bits of organic material, and in your case, even dead fish, and they quickly begin to rot. Anytime anything rots, noxious gasses are released, and usually on the surface it's no big deal because in the open atmoshpere it just dissapates, but in a drain, it collects and displaces air in the drain. You can tell there is no airflow because of the fog, if the air was flowing through the tunnel, there wouldn't be any fog. The cigarette smoke flowed out prbably because it is lighter than air and thus is more easily carried. Or maybe you just thought it was getting sucked out. I'd write this drain off my list. Sounds like it's just too iffy. I've hit bad air in drains several times, and it's SCARY. If you ABSOLUTELY MUST see this drain out, I'd say wait for the next time for it to rain HARD, like, 2 or 3 inches in a day, so that the drain floods and clears out all the bad air and stagnant water, then wait a day for the water levels to drop and then have at it as soon as the weather is clear. But BE CAREFUL! Edit: Wait a minute, you said water flowing INTO the drain? That's your problem. It's probably not a drain, it's probably an overflow for the pond, so if it starts to rain hard, the pond won't flood and flood whatever is next to it, just like the overflow on your sink. That means that every time it rains, the overflow fills up and fish and animals can swim in, as well as leaves and plants from the pond, then when it dries out and the water level drops, they are trapped in there. That means the WHOLE drain will be littered with dead and rotting plants and animals, and the whole drain will be filled with stagant water, releasing noxious gases. Don't retry this drain. It's not worth it. A good rule of thumb: Before you go in a drain, see which way the water is flowing. If the water is flowing OUT, then it's a drain, and every time it rains it cleans it out and you'll probably have a safe journey, but if water is flowing IN, well, see above and it's probably not worth it. [last edit 3/19/2012 8:17 PM by Captain_Slow - edited 3 times] SuchundFind  Location: San Antonio, Texas Gender: Male  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 2 on 3/19/2012 9:58 PM >   Posted by HungarianSM As I went on, I navigated around their little dam they had built up in the drain This might be a reason why no water was flowing. HungarianSM  Location: Toronto, Canada Gender: Male Eh?  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 3 on 3/19/2012 11:11 PM >   Yeah, thanks for the tips guys, I figured it might have been an overflow, but I followed the route on bing maps with the arial view, and it seems like this "drain" or whatever it is flows out onto the other side of the highway, I heard strange noises there too, like other animals under there, trust me I'm NOT going in there again, smells like shit, probably really dangerous and it freaks you out when something hairy swims by your leg, especially in jeans Skys the limit! :) MrSivalls  This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information. I'll be a-surfin' in yer blood on Saturday night  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 4 on 3/20/2012 1:03 AM >   You're lucky to have made it out, alive. Your security measures were inadequate. How unfortunate for you. Lambda  Location: Rhode Island Gender: Male  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 5 on 3/20/2012 1:26 AM >   Congratulations, it seems like you've survived an encounter with H2S. If you hadn't bolted when you did, we may not be here having this conversation. I'd agree, stay away from that deathtrap, and warn others to do the same. Doing asbestos I can AnAppleSnail  Location: Charlotte, NC Gender: Male ALL the flashlights!  |  |  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 6 on 3/20/2012 1:31 AM >   My rules for drains are as follows: 1. When it rains, no drains. 2. When it precipitates, no subterranean traversals. 3. Only drains with moving air. If I can't feel the air tickling the hairs on my arm, I don't go in the tunnel (Or the side tunnel in question) 4. Check the damn tide. 5. More batteries. 6. A buddy, or at least someone to come looking later. Achievement Unlocked terapr0  Location: Sauga City Gender: Male www . tohellandback . net  |  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 7 on 3/20/2012 2:17 AM >   it likely wasnt H2S, or the beavers / otters (unlikely, but whatever) wouldn't build their home in there. They eat LIVE fish, so it makes no sense for them to live in some place full of stagnant water and bad air....they're kinda like the canary in the mine shaft.... That being said, it was smart to at least have the good sense to GTFO if you're unsure. Draining alone in a place like that isnt very smart...and you should buy some chest waders if you want to do deep water drains like that, although most (errr....all) of the really interesting storm drains I know of dont require waders. keep looking and I'm sure you'll find something less flooded and with better air www.tohellandback.net ThreeOneSeven  Location: Indianapolis Gender: Male  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 8 on 3/20/2012 2:30 AM >   I have not encountered very deep water but i have always told my self id never go deeper then my boots which is a little below my knees just cause if there was ever anything to happen its a little harder to run when your waist deep, knee deep is still a bit much but i don't see anything worth going deeper water then my boots. but im very glad you made it out alive! and as said before have a buddy or let people know where your headed and set like times when you'll call or something and it might sound childish but it might save your life too I may not always be right, but I am never wrong. HungarianSM  Location: Toronto, Canada Gender: Male Eh?  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 9 on 3/20/2012 8:02 AM >   I was thinking that about the otters, but what else could that smell be? Actual eggs in the drain? haha And don't worry my brother was about 2 blocks away at home waiting for my call, I always have a backup plan in case of something going wrong, btw, anyone know some halfway decent chest-waders? The only one's I've seen are for fishing and a really hardcore, nothing under 160$, I can't justify something that expensive that I'll probably barely use... The only reason I explored this particular drain in the first place was because the one right next to it, same in-flow but separate pipes lead in a somewhat different direction to an amusement park in the area, or at least the pond at said amusement park, I've explored it before you can see the thread on the ON forum, and I want to check out the drains there too, do you guys think that it has it's own private drainage system that can be explored and accessed? or am I being too hopeful, Skys the limit! :) Beens  Location: Toronto Gender: Male  |  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 10 on 3/20/2012 12:52 PM >   Check out Bass pro shops. Cheapest pair is waaaay less than what youre looking at. But like terapr0 said, the best drains don't require waders...if you've got a particular one in mind that needs them, then go for it. Otherwise you can still have loads of fun with shoes/rubber boots/rainpants. http://www.flickr.com/photos/beenerman/ Sagetranq  Location: Caledon, Ontario Gender: Male Just passing through  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 11 on 3/20/2012 10:06 PM >   you really have had the worst luck lately -_- agree with the others here, sounds like an overflow to me Captain_Slow  The infamous Buttram Manfist Location: Dallas, Tx Gender: Male Obviously capable of mediocre things.  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 12 on 3/20/2012 10:14 PM >   Deep water isn't an issue, as long as it's MOVING. Luckily, in my area, the drains are built very well and they only very rarely have standing water. There are several spots in several drains around here where the water is deep enough and clean enough to strip down and go for a swim... it's quite refreshing. Lomax  Location: Denver Gender: Male  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 13 on 3/20/2012 11:54 PM >   My guess would be that it was a siphon rollin on dubs of love HungarianSM  Location: Toronto, Canada Gender: Male Eh?  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 14 on 3/21/2012 12:17 AM >   Really? Swimming? wow, I mean I've considered swimming in another drain, but it was still quite nasty, all muddy and shit, I wish I lived in AUS, man they have some freaking sick drains Skys the limit! :) Asher0719  Location: MSP Gender: Female The World Abandoned  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 15 on 3/21/2012 4:19 AM >   Ugh, that sounds like a frightening, not to mention gross experience (dead fish...not good). I'm glad you got out when you did, it sounds like you had a close call. Like others have said, I'd stay away and warn other explorers to do the same. It's just not worth it. ~Asher strangePlaces  Location: Toronto Gender: Male  |  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 16 on 3/21/2012 6:03 PM >   Hey, it doesn't sound that bad... good you GTFO d but dont quit on drains though... Interesting that you found so much wildlife there. I like when there are beavers or fish or rats are in drain, means there s enough oxygen... And speaking of waders, i bought my first ones at bass pro shop, they were very high quality, but very impractical in terms of carrying them around... so now i use the 60$ hip waders from cantire... they are not as durable (will leak eventually) but quite compact, so i can get around easily. I have two of them... (watch for sales, sometimes they go for much less) If ya want, can go see that scary drain again, i wouldnt mind some otter pics =) DJ Craig  Moderator Location: Johnson City, TN Gender: Male Break the Silence  |  |  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 17 on 3/23/2012 4:08 PM >   Wow, this is scary. I've been in literally hundreds of drains all over the US but have been lucky enough to never have an experience with bad air. You had shitty luck...don't let it ruin draining for you! But don't go back to that one... It might be a good idea for you to post this story in the regional board for your area, and include the exact location so other people know to avoid this place. You might get some shit for revealing the location (if it's somewhere really cool), but I feel like this is one of those situations where it's completely warranted. [last edit 3/23/2012 4:08 PM by DJ Craig - edited 1 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 micro  Gender: Male Slowly I turned  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 18 on 3/23/2012 4:58 PM >   Posted by HungarianSM can anyone point out what the hell was wrong with this drain? As others have already mentioned, my guess is that you were in an overflow for the stormwater retention pond you mentioned. I'm also guessing that there was nothing wrong or dangerous about where you were, but that it might have been your first time inside a drain. At the very least, you were alone and were probably nervous or unsure about your surroundings and hypersensitive to everything including harmless smells. We've all been there before, but if you go underground enough you begin to realize what's potentially hazardous and what isn't. Most things fall into the latter category. It's good to play it safe, but sometimes thinking illogically or panicking about something could lead to real problems. Keep in mind that other than a few tumbles/dunks and a handful of arrests, there haven't been any noteworthy accidents amongst Toronto drainers. I can't think of a single one involving bad air. DJ Craig  Moderator Location: Johnson City, TN Gender: Male Break the Silence  |  |  |  Re: Bad Experience Draining... <Reply # 19 on 3/23/2012 8:17 PM >   Posted by micro At the very least, you were alone and were probably nervous or unsure about your surroundings and hypersensitive to everything including harmless smells. This is a very good point. I've experienced this multiple times when NOT alone, and NOT my first time draining. You start to think about bad air, and it's SO easy to start thinking you're feeling the effects of bad air, when what you're really feeling is the physiological effects of the adrenaline, caused by the thought of bad air. "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 UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Bad Experience Draining... (Viewed 1865 times) 1 2   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 171 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 740525281 pages have been generated.