Part II: HVS user hints and safety

Part II of the original site was written for HVS users, and it's mostly about safety. It's reproduced here exactly as it was. For updated answers on safety, see safety around the water maze.

From the original watermaze.org (1998–2013)

Part II HVS User Hints

Water maze etc - Safety hints

Suitability for use.

Typical water maze video tracking equipment is for research use only, e.g. Morris water maze using rodents. It is not suitable for clinical, diagnostic or therapeutic use with human subjects. It does not comply with electrical isolation regulations for clinical equipment, and must not be attached, directly or indirectly, to human subjects. Electrical safety. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the legacy HVS Image trackers. For safety reasons do not open-up the components. Do not open-up the legacy PLUS modules. Follow manufacturer’s advise regarding notebook PCs.

• Though we now supply polypropylene water maze pools, previously we sometimes advised galvanized tanks. If using these we are advising you to apply metal primer paint before painting them white or black inside, so the white & black paint do not peel off. Regarding this primer paint, a U.S. user has suggested it is toxic, though OK if painted-over. In our view, not as paint experts or toxicologists, primer paint has to be somewhat corrosive because it has to 'bite' into the metal surface to form a bond. But it should not contain any long-term toxins e.g. heavy metals. We have a statement from Hammerite paints that their Special Metals Primer gives-off fumes such as nitrogen oxides while drying, but it is Not Classified for regulatory purposes in the UK, but please don't dispose of it down drains. We recommend you get a statement from your supplier regarding the primer you use.

• Health and safety are vital issues in "water maze" as in all lab work. Users please consult your Health & Safety advisor before setting-up and using your water system. Institutions may wish to make a Risk Assessment. Disclaimer: HVS is not an advisor, but we do care about your health & safety, and here we point-out items for especial attention:

• When fixing and adjusting the overhead camera, absolutely do not climb on furniture. If your safety officer approves, use a properly secured ladder.

• Water conducts electricity - even more so the galvanized tank (pool) we supply in the US & Canada ! You are planning to put your hands in the water while standing on a wet floor. Your electricians may want to earth-connect the tank. Please show them your setup before you apply power and start working.

• Water supply & drainage pipes should not project from the side of the pool, or present a trip hazard. Drainage can be through the pool base.

• Water maze can involve repeated reaching-out and leaning-over movements. Also it can involve long periods of solitary repetitive work without daylight. These remarks apply especially to commercial labs where high throughput and experiments lasting months or years occur. In terms of reaching or bending we distrust pools of diameter greater than 6ft (1.8m) and pools resting on the floor - our best guess is that an HVS pool should be set on a base 12ins (0.3m) high.

• Feedback & safety hints from users are welcome & can be received in confidence.

These hints date from earlier versions of the software; for the newest one, see HVS Image 2027.

Spotted a mistake, or know a better source? Tell us and we'll fix it and say so on our corrections page.