One of the questions on the test to receive a hot-air balloon pilot's
license asks what the greatest danger is from propane.  Answer is frostbite.

Karl

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lawrence Johnson" <larry_avery.johnson@SYMPATICO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 5:54 PM
Subject: too cool

> or how I froze my thumb
>
> I had no idea of the danger. The kid was filling the propane tank and
> before I knew it he had pumped in more than the tank holds. Wowa here.
> That ain't right. It is supposed to kick out at the 80% full level.
> Right?
>
> So to make sure that it was down about 20%, I opened the bleeder valve
> (or whatever its called. The small brass thumb wheel on the right side
> as you face the tank). After it had bled off some propane, I closed the
> valve. Too Cool.
>
> I felt nothing. No pain. Nothing. Before I knew it my thumb tip was
> frozen. It took about about an hour of sucking my thumb before it
> started to hurt. That was about a week ago. Now its just like a burn but
> without the swollen blister phase.
>
> -Cool Hand Larry