alex0000 wrote:First of all, thank you for such a fascinating read. It's crazy how much stuff you don't know even after years of draining. On the subject of the many things i don't know, I wounder if anyone could clarify this for me? What's the etiquette when all the manhole covers are in the middle of roads? How can you close it after you and, more importantly, not get your brain caved in by a car as you exit?
Cheers
Generally lighter manhole covers can be pulled part way over the manhole as you enter, then pulled all the way into the socket once you are in. For the heavy ones, if they have a lip or something to grip on you can sometimes crowbar them into position from underneath. Otherwise you need someone above ground to seal you in. Not a fun option.
Brain caving in is never fun. The only sure way is to only open manholes you know are not on roads. Or have an expedition member wait above ground / travel to exit above ground.
I do recall one expo into the Tank Stream at 2 AM in the morning years and years ago (last century) where we blocked off a lane of a road with lights and barricades to get in. The manhole was left out of the socket besides the entrance as it took 2 people to lift out and would have been near impossible to open from underneath. We had a security guard come over and ask what we were doing. We explained and he was fascinated that people explored drains for a hobby, and wanted to know what was down there.