So my comms cable got snagged on a crab pot line in 60 feet of water

I was working a salvage job off Newport last Tuesday and my umbilical got caught good. Instead of trying to cut it free right away (which is a pain with thick gloves), I remembered an old-timer saying he'd use a zip tie as a guide. I slid a big plastic zip tie up the cable to the snag point and gave it a sharp tug sideways. It popped right off the line, no knife needed. Has anyone else tried that weird little trick?

4 comments

4 Comments

parker_hall59d ago

Yeah, the "heart in your throat" thing is exactly how I used to feel. I always went straight for the knife and just hoped I didn't nick my own gear. Seeing that zip tie trick work once totally flipped a switch for me. It sounds crazy until you feel that pop and the line just slides free. Now I keep a couple of the heavy duty ones right on my suit.

waderamirez1d ago

My first try with the zip tie trick was on a monofilament mess wrapped around my dive light. I gave it a pull expecting nothing, but that little pop was the best sound ever. Now I just picture Vera down there trying to do surgery with a knife while I'm over here like a caveman with a plastic stick. It's not elegant but my drysuit thanks me for the lack of new vents.

lisas789d ago

Totally get where @vera29 is coming from, that plastic snapping is a scary thought. But man, that first clean pop with the zip tie is such a relief.

vera299d ago

Sixty feet down and you're messing with a zip tie instead of a knife? My heart would be in my throat the whole time. I'd be so sure that plastic was gonna snap and leave me in a worse bind. Just picturing you giving it a tug while tangled up gives me the shakes.