how to snipe for gold in deep pools?

[joeghi]

i was just wondering if anyone had sniped for gold in deep pools, deep being 10-15ft..

im kind of interesting in getting a wetsuit and cleaning out bedrock crevices and potholes deep down, problem is air. does anyone know of an air tank that is easy to use and non motorized? with maybe 30mins-1hr of air?

[Aurum Flake]

The only air tank that I know of is SCUBA. Now, on the other side of the page, its been too many years for me to remember my dive tables for Nitrogen Narcosis (otherwise know as the Bends) at those depths, but i'd say at best you'd get 3 dives in a day (conservativly) without MUCH risk to your health.



Short of having a dive computer, I'm still sticking by my guns for safe diving of 3 trips in a 24 hour period.

You'd get much more recovery time in (and volume of material) if you get an engine and hooka air system (such as one of these or like it: http://www.keeneeng.com/Merchant2/merch ... y_Code=ACS ) Plus you wont have as much risk to yourself breathing fresh air Vs. SCUBA. You still have the same underwater safety issues to contend with, but you wont have as much knowledge and classes to learn.

My two cents.

[joeghi]

thanks Aurum,

i think having one of those keene pumps is my best bet, im not serious enough to take classes etc.. i have a feeling finding one at the right price is the biggest obstacle though.

[PNWoutdoors]

It would be easiest to use a hookah system. Why do you want to snipe in pools? You will cloud yourself out when you try to dig out or fan the cracks.

[joeghi]

It would be easiest to use a hookah system. Why do you want to snipe in pools? You will cloud yourself out when you try to dig out or fan the cracks.

well its in a non motorized zone, i probably wouldn't have a problem with a motorized air pump but a dredge, yes. so i figure doing some diving and cleaning out potholes on the bottom might be my best bet.

[mendoAu2]

You mentioned potholes. Are you referring to those neat holes in bedrock formed by the constant "rolling" of a round stone inside them? Years ago I thought (thinking sometimes poises a problem with me, ha!) what a great place for gold to deposit so spent alot of time digging those puppies out to the bottom, some as much as four feet deep. Zip, zilch, squat in the way of gold. I later was talking with a much more experianced miner and he told me something interesting. Because of the "morter and pestal" type activity created in these potholes it would litterally pulverize the gold and it would just get blown out and away down the creek. Get back with your discoveries, I would like to hear that someone has success in said holes.

[joeghi]

hey mendoAu2,

yea those are the formations alright. i think it might have more to do with where in the river they are located than anything else. the best gold ive EVER gotten came from a pothole about 1ft wide by 2ft deep on surface bedrock, a larger one right next to it had one measly flake!

[Gabe1983]

You mentioned potholes. Are you referring to those neat holes in bedrock formed by the constant "rolling" of a round stone inside them? Years ago I thought (thinking sometimes poises a problem with me, ha!) what a great place for gold to deposit so spent alot of time digging those puppies out to the bottom, some as much as four feet deep. Zip, zilch, squat in the way of gold. I later was talking with a much more experianced miner and he told me something interesting. Because of the "morter and pestal" type activity created in these potholes it would litterally pulverize the gold and it would just get blown out and away down the creek. Get back with your discoveries, I would like to hear that someone has success in said holes.

Interesting. Explains something that happened to me I was first starting out. I went to Sharp's Creek and stood in water up to my hips and panned a pothole that was about 2 feet in diameter and just about as deep; my thinking was basically because it had collected gravel and stuff, that it would be full of color. I got absolutely bupkis for my troubles.

[reefology]

HI there,
regarding diving on air,first thing to make clear is that whether you use SCUBaAor HOOKHA also known as SSABA, the same rules for safety apply including dive times in relation to decompression sickness[the bends] if you wish to dive 10 to 15 feet using SCUBA you would not be in any danger from diving a one tank dive. ,PADI dive tables quote that you have 5 hours and 10 minutes at 33 feet [one atmosphere] before you need to ascend ,that is without decompresing,that said if you spent all that time at 33feet you would be at the Max end of the tables so you would err on the side of caution and spend 3 min at 15 feet.
So to shorten a long story you will out breath you tank before you can hurt yourself.
What about making up a small suction sniping rig with air like those discussed in the articles on suction gravel transferr .
Kind regards.
Tom

[alaskaflounder]

Do like I saw for the divers in the Philippines - just stick a short hose in your mouth and have the other on the surface. Just have to calm down your breathing, but possible. I know you said no motorized, but a small 12v air pump might be quiet too.