Chinese Fans
Will Estes
that the old-style Chinese fold-out fans would make a great
accessory for a backpacker's first aid kit, as an emergency
treatment for heat-related illness. You could use the fan to
quickly lower someone's body temperature, particularly in the head
area. The fans have the added advantage of being very light, and
folding to very small dimensions. You could take two-or-three with
no real waste of space.
The problem I am having is where do I buy these things? I have
tried several import/export stores, but to no avail. Does anyone
know of a mail-order source?
--
Will Estes U.S. Computer
Internet: wes...@usc.com POB 3150
Saratoga, CA 95070
FAX: 408-446-1013
Perry West
Peter Mlynek
> Okay, a strange subject line, but let me explain. It seemed to me
> that the old-style Chinese fold-out fans would make a great
> accessory for a backpacker's first aid kit, as an emergency
> treatment for heat-related illness. You could use the fan to
> quickly lower someone's body temperature, particularly in the head
> area.
Wouldn't a folded map work just as well? Not to mention a bandana
dipped into water and applied at arteries...
--Peter in Madison
Shawn Ingram
Another idea that came to me was for the smallest "Solar Shower" (not
sure if thats the name exactly but the concept is simple enough, a
plastic bag which heats water when exposed to the sun). I was
considering buying one for a long hike I have planned. This is related
to the subject - I'll get to how in a moment. Anyway, this particular
piece of gear appealed to me because I think its capable of performing
multiple functions. I'll list them here. First of course, it could be
used as primarily designed, as a warm/hot shower when you're sweaty.
Second it could be used as a water tote. Third (and this is the one that
appealed to me the most) I was thinking that if the thing had a good
enough seal that you could put some volume of water into it in the
morning, strap the thing to your backpack so that it caught some of the
sun (of course it has to be sunny for this to work), and by lunch you
would have water hot enough (not sure about this however) for tea, ramen
noodles, instant soup, whatever. Actually I'm not sure if the water
would be hot enough for tea but even if it weren't you could transfer the
already warmish water to a pot for heating. If nothing else it could cut
down on fuel consumption and water heating time. Obviously there are
alot of questionables here. Is the thing rugged enough to not leak
while being jostled about on you pack? How hot will the water get?
If the bag is not too terribly oriented towards the sun (the path you're
on may not make that viable without walking sideways or backwards) how
efficiently will the water be heated? (i.e., will 3-4 hours be enough
time?) The fourth application, provided it can maintain a seal under
some pressure, is that it could be inflated with a few puffs of air and
used as a makeshift pillow. The fifth (and related application) is that
if the fourth idea is feasible, you could fill the thing with cold water
(from a creek or where ever) and lay down in the shade using the bag as a
pillow. It seems to me that would cool your head down quickly as well.
If you've ever laid down on a freshly filled water-bed (before the heater
has had time to heat all the water) you know what I'm talking about. I
love the idea of gear performing multiple functions (minimalist-wannabe)
If anybody has any experience with this piece of gear and can offer
constructive criticism (no flames please) on these suggestions, I would
love to hear from you. Either post back to the group or mail me
directly. Thanks.
> Okay, a strange subject line, but let me explain. It seemed to me
> that the old-style Chinese fold-out fans would make a great
> accessory for a backpacker's first aid kit, as an emergency
> treatment for heat-related illness. You could use the fan to
> quickly lower someone's body temperature, particularly in the head
> area. The fans have the added advantage of being very light, and
> folding to very small dimensions. You could take two-or-three with
> no real waste of space.
>
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Charley_Renn
Let us know how it all works out.
CR