X-Message-Number: 22305
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2003 12:10:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: 
Subject: Transport in Dry Ice

I infer from John de Rivaz's recent message that he
considers transport of a patient from the UK to the US in
dry ice a currently viable option, while other options such
as picnic cold packs are considered.

I shared his outlook until I raised the issue with a friendly
cryobiologist who always prefers that his name should not be
used in close proximity to the word "cryonics." He was of
the opinion that transport at dry-ice temperature would be
the worst possible option from the point of view of cellular
damage.

During my last visit to the UK we discussed the possibility
of using a Dewar of liquid nitrogen (for a neuropatient) via
ocean-going vessel (!) but the bottom line was, no one had a
solution to this problem, in a new era where airlines may
delay cargo arbitrarily out of fear that caskets may contain
bombs (and consequently we cannot be sure that water ice will
remain frozen for the duration of the trip).

I consider this the most urgent issue for cryonicists who
live outside of North American but wish to receive longterm
care over here.

--Charles Platt

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