@@karm381 The actual radiation exposure would be relatively low as gauges don't put out *that* much radiation (it's not like it's a nuclear reactor). They're a Radioactive II class item. But, you're never supposed to experience an exposure you can avoid. The plate he threw aside is the same size as the bottom of the gauge, and you are supposed to mark the edge with the nail so that you can line up the gauge over the hole without it being above ground. Over time as you get used to using the gauge, you will probably be able to just line it up by instinct and have it be in the right spot without marking it, just by knowing where the hole sits under the gauge. That's what I've been doing for a while now. Ultimately, he won't turn into a radiological glow stick. But, if he consistently exposes the source rod like that, he is taking up considerably more radiation than he would be if he were doing it properly. By extension, that's considerably more than necessary. In my training they drilled "ALARA" into my head, or "as low as reasonably achievable." If you can take 5 extra seconds to mark the test area and lower your exposure, however small, by some degree, you should do that.
@@wynter8562 I was literally taught to expose it and then put it into the hole! But I have been thinking for the past few days that this MUST be a bad idea… yikes! I will make sure to take the time to mark it properly and do it that way from now on. Thank you!
Watching him extend the source rod between his legs gave me flashbacks of a senior on a project doubting that my gauge only went down 8 inches (he had one x years ago that was 12"). Dude straight up got out his tape measure, stuck the source rod out and measured it. Then he said "now I believe you."
