X-Message-Number: 2883 Date: 13 Jul 94 08:21:39 EDT From: Alan Sinclair <> Subject: CRYONICS Local Groups I noted Mike Darwins comments about local groups etc. Soon after being involved in Cryonics I became aware despite strenuous efforts to get together a suspension team and all the equipment required that the chances of being suspended by my group are zero. This is not because of lack of commitment nor is it because we do not get on,it is simply that the job of suspending a patient is (even in the primitive way carried out at present)a skilled process which should be taken on by people qualified to do the job. If I developed a heart complaint and was told by my doctor that a heart lung machine plus the local dustman and if I were really lucky a computer engineer would be operating,I would of course consider this ridiculous especially as I pay for this type of emergency and expect skilled staff to deal with the problem. With the present amount of suspensions taking place surely it makes sense to have teams on stand by ready to drop everything at a moments notice and not to rely entirely on volunteers. I pay less than 15 per month to Bupa for private health care(even at 57) which covers me for any health problems, surely with cooperation the Cryonic organisations could have a rescue fund that could be used to send one or more staff capable of carrying out a good quality suspension rather than phone calls. If all groups standardise and updated every year to a universal agreed way,any member of any suspension team could go anywhere and go to work.We go on so much about logistics but at the time of writing (9.15)I have called the airport and the next plain is 12.15 arriving at 19.26.Whilst there is still a delay as we are repeatedly told we should have some warning and if we don't it must be a straight freeze. As the Cryonic movement grows and more companies are formed I think a lot of us would like to see those companies as well as the existing companies taken responsibility and decisions to get there clients(or people wishing to join them)suspended in any part of the world.After all these years I am not at all optimistic of having a good suspension unless I move to the states and I cannot see why this should be. Why should the local groups be blamed for not doing enough when its the fault of the businesses for not setting up their organisations properly. Set up emergency response team between you,more leadership advising and explaining how we can help you in menial tasks rather than us trying to do a job that we are not up to. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=2883