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Description

A ~10minute activity for 4-6 Cubs or Scouts to learn how to unblock a kitchen drain. Requires about 3 minutes per person + 2 minutes demo.

Resources

Per sink/drain: (A sink with a drain either a u-bend/s-trap/p-trap or a bottle trap - ideally an example of both!)
- 1 bucket
- 1 leader
- either a Sieve/Collander or a fork/tongs (optional but handy)

Per person:
- 1 teatowel
- A wadge of tissue paper (hand towels are best, the aim is to _block_ the drain with it).

Instructions

This works equally for a most kinds of trap (Bottle Trap is the newer kind and is a bit easier, P-Traps and S-Traps [aka U-Bends]. Ideally, teach both!

Before the YP arrive open the drain and stuff it with tissue paper (you want a nice solid wadge, but also be able to pull it out in one go).
Fill up the sink with enough water that they can see there's a problem.
Explain that we're going to show them how to unblock the drain.
Say that until they're an adult, they should always ask an adult to help them do this.

Demonstrate how to do it:
- Put a bucket under the trap/ubend
- Unscrew the ubend/trap SLOWLY!
RISK: As you unscrew all the water from the sink will try to get out. Let it out slowly into the bucket.
- Tip the ubend/trap into the bucket
- Look inside the ubend/trap to check for blockages. Pull them out if there is.
- Also look down the drain to see if you can see more.
SAFETY: Avoid looking up the pipe - you don't want nasty water to drop on you!
- Once you're satisfied it is clear, screw it all back together.
- Make sure the bucket is still underneath
- Run some water through the drain - watch the pipes to check it's all dry and not seeping out the joins.
If you have a colander/sieve put it in the sink. If you don't, fish out the lumps form the bucket and put them in the bin.
SAFETY: Wash hands immediately after fishing in the dirty water. Use a fork/etc if possible.
- Put Pour the water from the bucket into the sink (through the sieve/collander).
- Double check everything below is still dry.
- Hurrah!
SAFETY: Both leader and YP wash hands now.

Extra: After putting it back together you can wrap any joints you undid/tightened with tissue paper before running water through, to make it easier to spot leaks.

After a demonstration, let each YP have a go. Have the others watching and have them put their hand up if they think their teammate might have missed something.

Risk Assessment:
- The main risks are around hygiene, traps and pipes are dirty. Ensure everyone washes their hands immediately after having their turn.
- Leader to be extra vigilant about themselves - regular hand washing and avoid face touching.
- Slight risk of catching fingers in the screw pipes, go slowly.
- Watch out for banging heads when underneath sinks/in cupboards!

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