Hydro-Vac Hole

[Linerider]

So, I was locating a small plantsite last week that had some tall grass around it. There had been some pipeline construction at the end of the winter and someone had forgotten to fill in a hydro-vac hole. I was locating a line through the grass an sploosh! I fell into a hydrovac hole filled with water and covered with grass. Up to my hips and I was stuck. It could have been worse, but I came out of it OK. I had an image of Winnie The Pooh being stuck and having to cut back on the honey. Oh Bother!

Keep your eyes open guys!

[ProfessionalLocator]

Over the years I have stepped into innumerable holes that had become covered over with grasses and other growth.

Right now I have someone in my area drilling soil sample bores without a ticket that is also leaving their holes unfilled. They missed the plant that our contract protects but they bored right through the fiber optic line of another utility.

[yahoo]

I have done the same but only to lose a foot or so never a hole that big! there has to be an easier hole to fill that hole back up with dirt! ha!

[Goldenboy]

It is amazing these stupid people get away with leaving all these holes open. About 7 years ago I fell into a 10 inch vac hole that was who knows how deep. One foot went in above my knee and I fell forward, I thought for sure I broke my leg. I called a fellow locator out there and after a while I realized I was ok. He stuck a flex stick in the hole so we wouldn't fall into it again.

This one was right on a high pressure gas main. That is the biggest problem. Normally these test holes are over existing utilities checking depth. Then we as locators hook up to the utilities and follow them out and find every hole all the lazy utility workers don't fill in.

There should be big fines for leaving traps like that in the ground.

[Bad Robot]

I sprained my ankle really bad stepping into one of these early this summer. As much as we try to be aware of our surroundings it seems to happen to us all at one time or another. Another reason to always check to make sure you have that phone when you leave your truck!

[TheCableVine]

That reminds me of Tom Hanks in "The Money Pit"

[Wingfoot]

40 pounds ago I stepped into a hidden electric primary trenchline and twisted my left knee. I was gimpy but not so painful enough to stay home from work. I wrapped my knee with one of these beauties:

MAGNETIC THERAPY KNEE SUPPORT

The packaging label states:

"Get strong support and pain relief with the powerful magnetic wave therapy of the Homedics Thera-P knee support.
Magnetic wave therapy enhances relief of pain, improves blood flow and promotes the body's natural healing process.
Premium-quality neoprene material retains natural body heat while helping to compress the injured area.
Durable quality construction means you will get years of dependable use.
The comfortable, lightweight design allows the magnetic knee support to be worn right under your clothes for all-day relief.
12 powerful north facing 1000+ gauss magnets are strategically placed to ensure maximum effectiveness.
The easy to use convenient hook and loop closures allow quick and easy fastening."

This wrap worked well for me and now I am a believer in magnetic therapy. I bought my magnetic knee wrap for +/- $20.00 @ a Walgreens Drug Store and the pain was dramatically lessoned within hours. I've used the magnetic wrap twice since the initial twisting and never more than 3 to 4 days at a time. I see HoMedics also has a magnetic wrap available for a person's ankle, elbow and back pain.

There are magnetic wraps available for neck & head pain also.

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