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Beach Tip:       Target Water Recovery Techniques
Contributor:     Lee Wiese

Tip:   Recovering targets from shallow water is relativity easy but as the water gets deeper different recovery techniques are required and the severity of the surf or wave action will add another layer of difficulty to the recovery process.

Less than two feet depth. The recovery of targets at this depth level can be accomplished with a dry sand type of screened scoop. It is recommended that the scoop handle be at least 12 inches long.

Two to five feet depth. At this depth the screened sand scoop is not the proper tool to use unless you are willing to wear some snorkeling gear like eye goggles plus you may need a weight belt.

Recovering targets from this depth can be better accomplished by using a long handled water scoop (48 to 54 inches). There are two scoop bucket sizes to consider; five inch and six inch. The recommendation is to use a five inch scoop due to the sand weight that must be lifted at the more extreme depth. The scoop can be a fixed length handle (one piece) or the travel handle that breaks down into two pieces.

Greater than five feet depth. Once you are at five feet or greater the scoop option becomes less inviting. The probable solution here is to drop down into the water at the target’s location and fan the sand with your hand until the target is visible. This technique will work well at most depths but is probably easiest to apply at the greater depths.

Other specific techniques and tools to consider that will enhance you target recovery are:

• Add a quarter inch screen to the scoop bottom for the recovery of small items; such as earrings.
• Use highly reflective tape on the top front and back of your coil to enhance the coils reflective capability and identification under water.
• Pin point with the heel of your coil (if it’s a DD coil) and then place your foot at the coil’s heel to mark the spot. What ever coil or method you use to pin point the target’s location place your foot at the back or side of the coil to mark the target’s location.
• A floating non metallic sieve works well for all mud, rocky and heavy shell areas. Just dig at the targets location and place the contents of the scoop in the sieve than retrieve your target from the sieve.
• In shallow water one can use a waterproof pin pointer to identify the target’s exact location on the sandy bottom.

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