<p>Ok, I’m mainly posting on the parents forum because you guys offer the best advice, imo, on the board.</p>
<p>So tonight a friend and I decided to go exploring, we came upon a sewer and decided to go inside it. Eventually, we realized that we were way too deep inside and probably needed help to get out. So, we called some friends and they opened that metal thing - I forgot the name, - and they were able to get us out. However, some staff person saw us going out and called campus security. So we went to their station and they read us our rights and made us sign a statement, and other things. The cop said it wasn’t very likely that they would file criminal charges, but it was a possibility.
I’m absolutely worried what the worst possible outcome of this situation could be, and I can’t believe I acted so immaturely. Any advice or help? I appreciate it.</p>
<p>I doubt they’ll throw the book at you for wondering around in the sewers although without a lot more details it’s hard to predict what could happen. I suppose the worst that could happen is that they charge you with misdemeanor trespassing, you plead guilty, and you get, perhaps, a fine.</p>
<p>Sewer diving wasn’t the best idea, but wisely you recognized that you needed help and called for assistance. I doubt there will be any repercussions.</p>
<p>I remember wandering around under the city of Berkeley in the water drainage canals in my lurid youth. That was fun. We had someone with us who knew the canals really well, so we hiked clear across the city through them and came out in some discreet spot where we were met by friends in cars. Very cool in-the-wee-hours-of-the-morning thing to do.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll get in any serious hot water over this.</p>
<p>'rentof2 – I’m thinking hot water (and LOTS of soap) is exactly what OP needs right now! But, I agree…I can’t imagine it meaning any serious trouble…</p>
<p>This situation really stinks, and now you’re in hot water. Hopefully, in the future, you’ll be able to smell trouble and avoid getting down in the dirt. Probably better to just stick with dumpster diving. I guess that you could tell the authorities that you are both political science majors just trying to get a taste of life as a politician.</p>
<p>Yeah, I remember exploring the heating tunnels at St. Olaf College one summer. We were six students selected to serve on a committee deciding how to use grant funds . . .! </p>
<p>You lifted up an outdoor mat at the east entrance of one of the dorms, then pried open a cover. I still have photos of us relaxing down there with some refreshments.</p>
<p>If you were in a real sewer, you were taking your life in your hands. Sewer gases include a number of nasties including hydrogen sulfide - rotten egg smell - which is more toxic than hydrogen cyanide (cyanide gas). It can kill within seconds. Worse, while your nose is incredibly sensitive to the smell at first, olfactory fatigue sets in quickly. </p>
<p>This is one reason why you often see those big yellow flexible air pipes at manholes - flood the work location with fresh air. </p>
<p>Please, for your own safety, stay out of sewers.</p>
<p>My freshman D lost a Birkenstock down a sewer in her college town next early this school year (she is a freshman). A friend was trying to retrieve it when a town policeman came along. He actually helped them get it!</p>
<p>So much depends on the particular school or city, many schools are dealing with stupid kid pranks much more harshly than they might have in the past, due in part to liability issues–that big “What if?”</p>