Re: [Paddlewise] Condoms as containers.....

Dave Flory wrote:
> 
> > Will try the condom idea [to keep water away from flares]
> 
> It's probably a good one and Condoms as waterproof containers has a long
> history. 

And a speckled one, also.  Pure latex rubber is notoriously susceptible to
degradation from a variety of contaminants -- atmospheric ozone (smog has
similar stuff in it) being a prime culprit.  And, sunlight will degrade latex
fairly rapidly.  Latex is rubber without the antioxidants and stabilizers
usually added to other elastomers to prolong their lifetime.  The latex in
condoms is missing those ingredients because they often irritate skin, and they
often make rubber less pliable.

In contrast, the latex seals in drysuits are heavily endorsed with carbon black
to promote resistance to UV.  The latex in condoms is not so endorsed.

Condoms are better than plastic bags for protecting flares, but also in need of
replacing periodically.  I'd suggest every couple months or so.

Another alternative would be *heavy duty* elongated balloons, which usually
have some pigment in them -- to promote UV resistance.  You'd have to snip off
the nozzles on the balloons in order to get the flares inside.  And, no, I do
not know of a source for heavy duty balloons.  Doesn't the NWS use them?

Probably just the thing for "when the balloon goes up."  [giggle; sorry]

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
chemist
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