[Elfsea] FWD: Re: [Steppes] Preparing for Gulf War
Arabella de Montacute
arabella at elfsea.net
Wed Feb 20 10:51:18 PST 2002
>>> - No open flames in tents! No lanterns or heaters
>>> that give off fumes in tents either!! (there have
>>> been injuries and FATALITIES at SCA camping events
>>> in the past due to these things!!)
Well, the fatalities have been attibuted to two things: (1) improperly used heater in CLOSED, NON-BREATHING (nylon) tent, or (2) fire. Just because a candle is stuck in a bucket of sand does NOT make it safe.
NO open flames, or even closed flames (never mind fumes, flames eat up oxygen) should be used in a nylon tent. If you have a canvas, period tent, use them with caution, and DO NOT FORGET the two key rules of using flames:
1) NEVER leave a flame unattended.
2) If you are asleep, the flame is unattended.
If someone needs a night-light, get a battery-operated lamp. You can buy ones that look like candles (I stocked up just after Christmas). Do NOT cover the lamp - battery or otherwise - with a cloth to "make it look better" or to "add ambiance." Fabric burns.
Other common-sense fire rules: Just because you cooked dinner over a charcoal grill doesn't mean you can ignore it and not take the time to be sure the coals are dead. Just because the citronella candle comes in a cute metal bucket does NOT mean it is a "contained flame." Oil lamps are flames.
Canvas burns. Nylon burns. If you are afraid of the cold, get a hotel room, pack lots of blankets, bring a warm friend, get some of those chemical heating packs that camping-goods stores sell to put into boots and mittens, buy a "space blanket" to put between you and the ground or you and the rest of your bedding. STAY DRY - wet will chill you very quickly.
---== Morgan (who has had put out camp
fires and warm the hypothermic)
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