The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by Ian:

ajay@143: "And if you tried to drink all that in 24 hours, I think your kidneys would EXPLODE."

British squaddies (and coppers) all come with an infinite capacity to consume Tea. It's a job requirement.

I've whipped out my emergency kit to see how it compares to the discussion so far. For a start, mine is modular. I've a number of waterproof nylon stuff sacks with drawcords about 4 x 2 x 6 inches. There are two stuff sacks that are always packed and go anywhere I might take an emergency kit:-

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• One is a first aid kit that's probably more comprehensive than most with an emphasis on stabilising one or more major casualties. It was put together originally for the 'falling off a mountain' scenario. This also contains all the blister/chaffing handling type items.
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• The second is the 'base pack' that goes with anything. It contains, in no particular order:
  
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  • Petzl headtorch and spare batteries.
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  • Leatherman tool including knife, can opener, pliers etc.
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  • Compass, whistle, maglite solitaire (single AAA battery) torch and emergency signals aide memoire laminated card - all on a short loop of cord. The aide memoire is not because I'd ordinarily forget them, but because I might well forget what to do if I had hypothermia.
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  • Condoms, latex, six - as previously discussed.
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  • Waterproof notepad and mechanical PENCIL.
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  • Plastic bags.
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  • Length of gaffa tape (duct tape).
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  • Disposable lighter. Lifeboat matches. Magnesium firestarting block with integral flint, knife and striker.
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  • Candle. Hard wax, long burning type.
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  • About 10 metres of paracord. This is the nylon kernmantle cord used for the shroud lines of parachutes. Breaking strain in the close order of 200Kg but little thicker than string.
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  • Space blanket and bivvi bag. I'm surprised the latter hasn't had a mention yet. Two heavy plastic bags about 6 foot by two. One army drab green, one international signal orange. You stick one inside the other, stuff the gap between them with straw or dry leaves and you've got a waterproof, windproof shelter or sleeping bag.
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I've a seperate water carrier (Platypus/camelbak type).

The Scotsman in me (25% Scots, 50% Irish, 25% English) wants to add a Great Kilt to the list. This isn't the skirt of nowadays but a huge bolt of fabric as wide as you are tall and long enough to make a snug bed for a Highlander sleeping outdoors as well as a garment.

re: P J Evans @ 193

About three seconds before the LN2 stops bubbling, if you have enough of it.

Noen: Apologies, refresh lag meant that I hit after you'd recanted.

Others, re phasing of flu vaccine:

The flu vaccine is formulated freshly each year. The World Health Organization and others keep a watch on what flu strains are prevalent this year, following the flu season as it moves across the globe. Obviously it makes sense to formulate the vaccine as late as possible so that you have the best chance of matching the strains that are 'doing the rounds'.

Thus the vaccine is manufactured over a relatively short period. It doesn't make sense to have manufacturing capacity that can churn out a year's worth of vaccine in a week so it takes a while to make as much vaccine as is needed. So as the first few people get their jabs, vaccine is still being manufactured for the people who follow on later. With this constrained, as opposed to limited, supply it makes sense to give it to the highest risk patients first, then to lower risk folks.

Here in Blighty the official line (from the British National Formulary) is that pregnant women *should* get the flu vaccine, but that it should be a thiomersal free one.

As to the Star Spangled Banner, I make it 55 seconds. So in English that's 1 1/2 verses of God Save the Queen, 2 verses of Rule Britannia, Jerusalem up to "Bring me my bow of burning gold" or two verses of Teenage Kicks plus the bridge.

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