Neck Coolers

Tonight was RSM:  Relief Society Meeting.

We made neck coolers for the military.

I had never heard of them before, and was really impressed.

Adrianne and I brought our sewing machines and were assigned to the last station.

There were cutting tables, ironing stations, first stage sewing, turning right side out stations, measuring stations, and our sew and fill and finish stations.

 You make a long tube like above, and sew it on three sides.  Turn it right side out.

Measure two lengths on each end for the ties, and then measure every 4 inches to make 4 sections.

 We sew straight across each section, then stop and fill with a small pvc pipe, funnel, and these teeny, tiny clear beads. (The picture above is what they look like after hydrating.  I got all these pics from google.) Only 1/4 teaspoon of the beads.  That's all.  It almost seems a non-issue.  Stitch the next section to close it and form the next part.  Top stitch the opening at the end.

These clever neck coolers are standard issue to troops operating in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Once soaked in water, the crystals inside absorb water and the scarf swells up. Once drained of excess water it is worn around the neck, forehead etc, and as the water evaporates, the scarf becomes cold and has a cooling effect.

 They can be re-used again and again, simply by resoaking in water.

They reduce core body temperatures fast, thus helping to prevent heat stress. They give hours of cooling relief from hot temperatures. Just soak them  in water for about twenty minutes. Through evaporation and air circulation it will stay cool for a week. It helps cool the neck and major artery blood flow, which keeps them more comfortable.

I think this is such a good thing.  I might make some to keep in my emergency preparedness supplies.

Tonight was a lot of fun and comraderie.