How safe to dive in a canal

[nickjaxe]

Hi all A mate of mine has a canal boat and he needs the prop taking off he has asked if I can do it for him as a favour no money to change hands, what I would like to know is as to weather it would be safe to go into a canal pollution wise, it is about 4 to 5 foot deep and not very clear, if I did it I would be using a std DV. what do you think.


Regards Nick.

[Nigel Hewitt]

>Hi all A mate of mine has a canal boat and he needs the prop taking off he has asked if I can do it for him as a favour no money to change hands, what I would like to know is as to weather it would be safe to go into a canal pollution wise, it is about 4 to 5 foot deep and not very clear, if I did it I would be using a std DV. what do you think.

I fell in the Oxford canal most years as a kid and I'm still here. Frankly the vis last time I visited the old haunts was such that the canal has fish (!) and I could see them (!!) so it's vastly improved. Go for it. Polution is over-rated. Dangerous things come on 4 wheels.

nigelH

[Andy Nye]

Hi all A mate of mine has a canal boat and he needs the prop taking off he has asked if I can do it for him as a favour no money to change hands, what I would like to know is as to weather it would be safe to go into a canal pollution wise, it is about 4 to 5 foot deep and not very clear, if I did it I would be using a std DV. what do you think.


Regards Nick.

Diving in canals is reasonably safe nowadays ,,,,,,, have done a few , but been in a hard hat.

REMOVING A PROP.

Remember to take a good size bit of 2x2 to wedge bewteen 'P' bracket and prop.
Right size socket and a long crack bar.
Pliers to remove split pin.

[derek perry]

Nick

Only thing you need to be aware of is Weils disease (Leptospirosis)

Basically it is caught mainly from rat urine and is something you need to know about, if you dive in fresh water, as it can be fatal if you don't recognise the symptoms and get treatment.
It's a bacterial infection and enters the body through cuts, scratches and across the mucous membranes such as eyes and mouth.
To prevent infection cover all broken skin with waterproof plaster. Wash all skin as soon as possible after contact with contaminated water and always wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking.
Symptoms that you've got an infection are a little like a flu or bad cold.
It is rare but can be fatal as it causes jaundice, kidney failure and heart failure.
You are most at risk after flash floods or heavy rain when the Rat Runs have been washed through and there is a higher concentration of the infection in the water.

Don't worry too much, the most important thing to do is recognise the symptoms if they occur and see a doctor quickly as it is easily treated with antibiotics.

Derek


Hi all A mate of mine has a canal boat and he needs the prop taking off he has asked if I can do it for him as a favour no money to change hands, what I would like to know is as to weather it would be safe to go into a canal pollution wise, it is about 4 to 5 foot deep and not very clear, if I did it I would be using a std DV. what do you think.


Regards Nick.

[Andy Wade]

Hi all A mate of mine has a canal boat and he needs the prop taking off he has asked if I can do it for him as a favour no money to change hands, what I would like to know is as to weather it would be safe to go into a canal pollution wise, it is about 4 to 5 foot deep and not very clear, if I did it I would be using a std DV. what do you think.


We used to dive in canals all the time on 'bottle grovels', especially near pubs!
You can pose in your gear in front of all the girls stood outside the pub.
Well we used to anyway...;-)
Just to add to what everyone else has said, watch out for underwater hazards such as bikes, prams, shopping trolleys and broken glass.
Make sure you have an easy exit route from the water before you get in, and have someone sensible and capable to do surface cover for you, preferably another diver.
I like Andy's tool list ;-)
I'd be more worried about Weils disease than shopping trolleys though, if you get 'Flu' in the week or so after doing this dive, go straight to the Doc.

[nickjaxe]

:=Hi all A mate of mine has a canal boat and he needs the prop taking off he has asked if I can do it for him as a favour no money to change hands, what I would like to know is as to weather it would be safe to go into a canal pollution wise, it is about 4 to 5 foot deep and not very clear, if I did it I would be using a std DV. what do you think.


We used to dive in canals all the time on 'bottle grovels', especially near pubs!
You can pose in your gear in front of all the girls stood outside the pub.
Well we used to anyway...;-)
Just to add to what everyone else has said, watch out for underwater hazards such as bikes, prams, shopping trolleys and broken glass.
Make sure you have an easy exit route from the water before you get in, and have someone sensible and capable to do surface cover for you, preferably another diver.
I like Andy's tool list ;-)
I'd be more worried about Weils disease than shopping trolleys though, if you get 'Flu' in the week or so after doing this dive, go straight to the Doc.

Ok guys all noted thanks for the info I think I may find an excuse not to do it.

Nick.