X-Message-Number: 1821
Date: 24 Feb 93 22:42:59 EST
From: "Steven B. Harris" <>
Subject: CRYONICS Mike Gets Cold Shoulder?

Dear Cryonet:

A couple of comments for Steve Bridge:

1)  The experiment to try -135 C ambient on an insulated human
should be done in a Bigfoot canted at 45 degrees:  the angle will
facilitate access, escape, and rescue, should they be necessary,
and you'll still have a layer of cold gas up to one mouth-
diameter of the top, even without an end cap.  No, you shouldn't
have an end-cap, since you need visibility.  Mike should enter on
his own power, down a wooden stepladder (this will keep him away
from the liquid gas, as well).  Needless to say, he should wear a
harness which is attached by ropes to a couple of strong gloved
men on the outside.  All should be made of materials that won't
turn brittle (I think nylon works okay for patients, despite what
you'd think if you'd grown up reading _Have Spacesuit Will
Travel_).

2) You cannot cool air to -135 easily without mixing it with
nitrogen, and you cannot easily buy liquid air.  Therefore to
avoid the suffocation risk I suggest doing this experiment with
liquid oxygen (LOx) in the Dewar, which is close to the same
temperature.  A pure oxygen atmosphere at these temperatures
should not be much of a fire hazard, and Mike won't be smoking
(still you might want to keep the light-source outside-- maybe a
spotlight).  Alternately, you can homebrew your own "liquid air"
by filling a small dewar 1/5th or 1/4th full with LOx, then the
rest of the way with LN2.  This can then be dumped into the
Bigfoot until the right temperature is attained.

3) I suggest one of those arctic breathing masks which has a
"snout" arrangement for breathing through, to give a backup
should there be an emergency with the suit oxygen.  Suit oxygen
should be supplied by a couple of E cylinders worn under the
suit, close to the skin.

4) Good luck.  I don't like liability either, so I further
suggest that Mike sign-up again for suspension before trying this
stunt, so that if there's a horrible accident, we can just fill
the dewar the rest of the way, and not tell anyone about the
missing person.  You can put a Mike Darwin Memorial plaque up
somewhere else in the facility.  And please to keep certain
Directors away from the valves while Mike's in there, so this
doesn't happen prematurely. :->  ("For the love of God, Mon-
tressor!")

5) Seriously, it's worth doing, and should not be too dangerous,
if you cover all bases.



Comment to Brian Wowk:

The nondiscrimination doctrine you quoted is indeed official
Alcor policy.  I was present at the Alcor Board meeting March 3,
1991 (at Virginia Jacobs') when it was adopted by vote of the
board, and I believe I even have a tape.  


                                  Steve Harris

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