Backpacking: Re: [BackpackingLight] Re: alcohol in drink bottles

Mike,
        Yes, a happy outcome to what could have been a bad
ending. WG, Alcohol, Diesel, and in general, all the fuels we use
in the field are poisonous. This is often exacerbated by us, the
UL hiker who insists on the lightest fuel carrying container...usually,
a recycled drink bottle.
        A minor concern, one I have mentioned before soo, older
members can ignore this note.
        The size and shape of an 11oz fuel bottle is about the same
as a soda bottle. Soo, how to tell the difference by feel?
        Well, the biggest difference, is that fuel bottles are smooth.
No eye catching shapes. No ridges on the bottle. Read through
the destructions before trying this trick. It may take a couple
attempts to create a fuel "bubble". Soo, taking the smoothness
as the primary distinction in "feel":
        1) Take an 8oz, 12oz or 16oz soda bottle and put about a 1/2"
         of fresh, cold soda in it. (To apply an internal pressure.)
        2) Seal it tightly.
        3) Shake it to pressurize the bottle.
        4) Remove any labels.
        5) Gently, heat it over a range stove(on low,) till it resumes it's
        smooth bubble shape..well mostly. Rotating it continuously.
        I do this in steps: Bottom, sides, and top. I've found that tilting
        the bottle back will help clear the soda from the bottom and
        sides. Again, *gentle* heat will eventually heat the plastic
        enough to become ... well... plasticized. The bottom will pop out
        and ridges & ripples will disappear. Shake the bottle to set it,
        then do the sides and other end. Careful not to overheat the
        cap.
        6) Shake the bottle to set the plastic again.
        7) Remove the cap and empty the bottle, remove the cap "ring"
        from any twist-off caps. Sometimes, the ring can prevent sealing
        in use because it may close up a little.
        8) Mark the bottle, of course. Or, the new Krylon paint in yellow or
        red may work...never tried it.
        The resulting fuel "bubble" has a distinctive shape and feel. Don't
try to get all the shape of the original bottle out of it, the plastic has a
"memory" to it and will want to keep it's shape somewhat. It will *not*
stand up on it's own, forcing the user to seal it after use, too. And, being
UL plastic, it will not hold up for 10 years of use and abuse. But I have
not broken the ones I have made, yet. (Yes, they work OK for WG, too.
But, I think this more depends on your choice of plastic bottle.)
        I tried this originally on a bunsen burner at work, but, it was too
focused, even with the fan tips. The lighter heat of a home gas range
works better. The soda, inside, keeps the bottle from shrinking, soo,
the volume should stay about the same...maybe a little larger. Again,
*gentle* heat.
        My thoughts only . . .
                 jdm
At 11:05 PM 7/18/2009, you wrote:

This lady was a veteran AT hiker

http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=852107219;t=9991107448

Saturday--Planned on an early start to get some good miles in before
afternoon thunderstorms. 5:30 a.m., going for her early morning hydration,
Gutsy grabbed the wrong bottle and swallowed a big gulp of Heet (methyl)!
(MISTAKES: 1) Fuel bottle was marked but was same size and shape as water
bottles; 2) fuel bottle was with water bottles.) No cell signal at the
campsite. She drank 2 liters of water and ate a Clif bar. Hastily packed
everything and started walking to the campground entrance up the hill. Got
cell signal near top of hill and called 911. Jefferson County sent
ambulance and they took us to Butte hospital. Butte hospital treated her
with vodka and raised blood alcohol to .1, then rushed her by Life Flight
plane to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, MT because they are better
equipped for this. They weighed our packs (19.7 lbs. and 23.5 lbs.) and
asked my weight (145 lbs.) before decidi ng we could accompany her on the
plane. She has not suffered any bad symptoms, but based on estimated
ingestion of 4 oz., "she might not have made it." Symptoms are typically
delayed. She considered choosing hiking over taking the ambulance ride, but
at their urging decided to play it safe.

She is stable and alert, but will be in the hospital for a few days to get
all the bad stuff out of her system. We are so thankful for circumstances
and people who helped her get quick medical attention--our location, cell
phone and signal, emergency services, etc."

Mike

http://www.engel.org/ihwm (Courtesy of my friend Glenn Engel)

"I hike alone sometimes.Its during these            Mike Aken
solo hikes that the number of arrogant             N7OUJ
and ignorant people I have to deal
with is reduced to one".
                         Jack Hampson

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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Re: [BackpackingLight] Re: alcohol in drink bottles

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