On Sun, 2 Jul 2006 12:12:44 -0500, "Rick"
wrote:

Lets look at the safety of both suggestions.

1) Nitrogen liquid will boil to gas. The gas is an asphyxiate. Many people
have died from nitrogen. Air contains 21.5% O2 mostly the rest is N2. If
you breath pure N2 the first breath you pass out and the second breath brain
damage and the third death. Think about passing out when reaching for
something in the ice chest. If you fall in your dead; if you fall out you
will probably be ok. The next day you will be ripping out your N2 system.
A closed boat can accumulate N2 which will displace air. Maybe get you in
your sleep or when you go down for a cold one.

2) CO2 is heaver then air and would accumulate in the low parts of the boat.
Same issue as with N2 but it would at least give you some warning signs.

Whats wrong with a little water from melting ice. You are on a boat
right???


Nitrogen displaces oxygen, so you pass out without warning. It is not
otherwise toxic. So figure being underwater for a few seconds. That's
as much time as you have with N2. With CO2 you pant.
Both gases diffuse of course.

Brian Whatcott Altus OK