ISSUESPOTLIGHT Typical utility work in a downtown area with an Air-Spade. curring pores and fracturing the soil in a fraction of a second. Handmade tools are unfocused, simply blow the air around and only work if used as a digging tool.   Finally, the operating cost of a profes- sional air excavation tool is relatively inexpensive when time and energy consumption are considered. Using a professionally produced supersonic air excavation tool will be safe, non- damaging to underground utilities, 30 SU M M E R 2 0 1 1 I w w w. D a m a g e P re v e n t i o n P r o f e s s i o n a l . c o m tree roots and other solid objects, and will pay back in spades. The best way to see the advantages is always to try one or attend a demo. You will see first hand the advantag- es in safety and performance. DP Rick Sweet is the field sales product specialist for Air-Spade, a division of the Guardair Corporation. For more information or questions on using air wands for soil excavation, please email Rick at RSweet@guardaircorp. com or by phone at 413-594-4400, ext 335, or visit www.air-spade.com.