PI Deep Holes, a Health Risk?

[Anonymous]

Hi to all:
the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, carries the following article
"Sudden Death and Other Risks Associated With Dry-Sand Beach Holes" by BA Maron, BJ Maron

 

[Anonymous]

Please tell us.

 

[Anonymous]

I have heard of cases of children digging deep holes and even tunnels in dry sand and having these collapse on them. However, I think that the main risk for treasure hunters with a powerful PI is straining of the back. This is more likely though, in the wet sand where there is more weight and also suction.
Eric.

 

[Anonymous]

I thought it was an interesting study. The main findings were as follows
--------------------------------------
Six of these 7 incidents occurred on public beaches (all on the Atlantic coast), less than 6 m from the water surf-line, while the other took place in the backyard area of a home. The individuals who had died or were exposed to life-threatening circumstances were 8 to 21 years old (mean, 12 years); 6 were male. The excavated holes were approximately 1 to 5 m in diameter and 1 to 3 m deep. Digging was carried out manually by hand or with toy beach tools. The beach holes had been dug by the individuals and their friends as recreational activities in 5 of the 7 cases; in the other 2, the holes were present prior to the event.
---------------------------------------------
some people take exception to you digging holes on the beach, even though you cover them. They obviously feel that they can stumble when jogging, due to the much softer area.
However you can look back along the beach at anytime, and see huge, uncovered holes, dug by children and their parents. No-one EVER complains about this. It seems the detectorers suffer much discrimination.