cap n chris
Well-known member
Popped back through sump 1 this morning to notice that the rope has been changed and a "new" bit of EN1891 semi-static kernmantle has appeared.
I guess it's been put in place by someone who thought the old rope could do with replacing; this is a nice thought and such selfless actions are to be commended. Unfortunately kernmantle rope is unsuitable for use as guidelines in sumps as it has the potential to cause nasty situations like that one which occurred to a well known Mendip caver (and cave diver) five or six years ago when similar rope was put through sump one.
In flood conditions the sheath of the rope gets damaged by abrasion from rocks tumbling underwater; this exposes the inner strands which act as a trap for the unwary. The caver in question dove through sump one and got his helmet caught in the net of strands which held him in place, underwater, unable to surface on either side of the sump. His presence of mind (and no doubt his training/experience as a cave diver) allowed him to think about it for a while and then turn upside down, allowing his nose to surface from where he was then able to cut himself free from the snaring rope. If this situation had occurred to pretty much anyone else it could well have proved fatal.
Therefore the rope presently in sump 1 is going to be removed and replaced with old style hawserlaid rope (which isn't dangerous once it's abraided) shortly.
So, thanks to whomever it was who did this but please note that modern ropes are not suitable; if you must place a rope through a sump it is best to use hawserlaid rope.
I guess it's been put in place by someone who thought the old rope could do with replacing; this is a nice thought and such selfless actions are to be commended. Unfortunately kernmantle rope is unsuitable for use as guidelines in sumps as it has the potential to cause nasty situations like that one which occurred to a well known Mendip caver (and cave diver) five or six years ago when similar rope was put through sump one.
In flood conditions the sheath of the rope gets damaged by abrasion from rocks tumbling underwater; this exposes the inner strands which act as a trap for the unwary. The caver in question dove through sump one and got his helmet caught in the net of strands which held him in place, underwater, unable to surface on either side of the sump. His presence of mind (and no doubt his training/experience as a cave diver) allowed him to think about it for a while and then turn upside down, allowing his nose to surface from where he was then able to cut himself free from the snaring rope. If this situation had occurred to pretty much anyone else it could well have proved fatal.
Therefore the rope presently in sump 1 is going to be removed and replaced with old style hawserlaid rope (which isn't dangerous once it's abraided) shortly.
So, thanks to whomever it was who did this but please note that modern ropes are not suitable; if you must place a rope through a sump it is best to use hawserlaid rope.
