My new SCUBA cane.

[Still Kicking]

...but they charge for aluminum.

However, if you're carrying a flag, just use a hefty 1.25" wooden curtain rod with a clip. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-96-in-L-x-1-3125-in-H-x-1-3125-in-W-Wood-Closet-Rod/1000442341

I can't find mine, but when I had Achilles Heel issues, I needed a staff to get over a ledge at Venice Beach, Florida. I painted it with marine paint after I epoxied a rather large eye into the end. I attached a clip and would just clip it to my flag. Stupid strong with absolutely no flex in it. I liked that I could really use it to lift my fat ass over the ledge with no worries of it failing.

There was a state beach in Malibu where the last flight of steps to the sand got washed away, leaving an 8' drop. I went to HD, bought some 2x4s and galvanized bolts and built a heavy duty ladder. Staked it down with chain and rebar. It lasted 2-3 years before state finally got around to rebuilding the trail.

You do what you gotta do....

 

[The Chairman]

Oh yeah, I wrapped about 6 ft of 1/8" nylon rope to create 18" of a handle and then epoxied it to keep it from rotting.

leaving an 8' drop.

This was only about an 8" drop a few feet into the surf. I was able to manage stepping up over it after the dive, until the ankle issues. But, oh those shark teeth I would find.

 

[Waterwulf]

When you have a cane there is a tendency to lean on it. If the cane breaks, you're suddenly off balance and may fall. PVC is rated for internal pressure not lateral strength, as stated. It also becomes brittle with time and might crack.

I think you should get an aluminum wading staff. But it's a free country ....

Well, sure you have a tendency to lean on a cane. After all, that's what it's for! I'm not sure I can or even want to follow that logic.
"If I use my cane and it breaks, then I fall down but if I don't use my cane for fear of breaking it, I fall down more often but then it's not because of the broken cane so that's somehow ok". Uhhmmm. Thanks but no thanks. I'll keep using my cane.

As far as strength: It's Schedule 80 which is considerably stronger. I'm sure it's strong enough. They make furniture out of it. The thing that hurts it, is sunlight so that's why it's wrapped in shrink tube.

Regarding Aluminum: I knew an old guy who had a fancy aluminum cane. It was lightweight, shiny and slick looking. Unknown to him, he nicked it someplace and put a small dent in it. (We laughed at him when he accused us of putting it there) The thing about Aluminum tubing, is that it gets it's strength from it's structural shape, not material strength. That cane folded in half at the dent and dumped that old guy onto the pavement hard. Anything can be broken if it's not maintained and checked. Plus, the fancy collapsible ones really are collapsible if they're not locked in place. Mine is plug together.

 

[Still Kicking]

Well, sure you have a tendency to lean on a cane. After all, that's what it's for! I'm not sure I can or even want to follow that logic.
"If I use my cane and it breaks, then I fall down but if I don't use my cane for fear of breaking it, I fall down more often but then it's not because of the broken cane so that's somehow ok". Uhhmmm. Thanks but no thanks. I'll keep using my cane.

As far as strength: It's Schedule 80 which is considerably stronger. I'm sure it's strong enough. They make furniture out of it. The thing that hurts it, is sunlight so that's why it's wrapped in shrink tube.

Regarding Aluminum: I knew an old guy who had a fancy aluminum cane. It was lightweight, shiny and slick looking. Unknown to him, he nicked it someplace and put a small dent in it. (We laughed at him when he accused us of putting it there) The thing about Aluminum tubing, is that it gets it's strength from it's structural shape, not material strength. That cane folded in half at the dent and dumped that old guy onto the pavement hard. Anything can be broken if it's not maintained and checked. Plus, the fancy collapsible ones really are collapsible if they're not locked in place. Mine is plug together.

As I said, it's a free country -- do what you feel is best. Please be careful.

 

[Waterwulf]

As I said, it's a free country -- do what you feel is best. Please be careful.

Oh I will and I'm always careful enough. Well, most of the time anyway but I have a lot of fun!

 

[emoreira]

I admire you for your braveness and atitude. Good for you and God bless you with a lot of wonderfull dives for the rest of your active diver life.
I've seen a lot of people giving up their leisure activities after accidents and/or life problems.

All my respect.