SCMC Gadgets - Bipod

For the uninitiated a bipod is a tripod with only 2 legs!

Built from aluminium scaffold poles and held in place by an arrangement of wires, it was designed to allow access to several large mine shafts and surface 'collapses' where the sides were too unstable for normal access methods.

Main Gadgets

• The 'Bipod'
• The Club Winch
• Underground Radios
• Underground Electronic location device
• MineCam - Remote controlled video camera for shaft exploration
• Borg - helmet mounted video camera

The Bipod in Action

Going down .....

1. The intrepid explorer clips onto an SRT rope fixed to the apex of the bipod.
2. The frame is then pivoted out over the hole - controlled by hauling ropes and suspension wires.
3. When in position, the hauling ropes are securely tied off.
4. The explorer can then abseil (rappel) down the main SRT rope into the depths ...

Getting out ...

To get out it is simply a matter of:-

1. Prussiking up the SRT rope to the apex of the bipod.
2. Wait for colleagues on the surface to haul the frame back over, onto 'dry-land'.
3. Step lightly onto terra-firma and unclip...

Problems

On long pitches and with a heavy caver, a considerable amount of flexing can occur - particularly if the sit-stand, frog method of prussiking is used (as favoured by Europeans!).

Pictures: Kelvin Lake

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