Glass and seizures

[PyroChixRock]

Hey glass family, I have a good friend who suffers from seizures (among other health issues) and he wants to try glassblowing more. I know some of you out there deal with seizures, too. What do we need to know? I want to keep my friend safe. I think glass will be very therapeutic for him and positive so I'd love for this to be a possibility for him.

[glassdocnc]

I know a guy with a seizure disorder who uses a pedal that allows torch function only when depressed. If he were to have a seizure and released the foot pressure on the pedal, the gas and oxy would be shut off. He still could get a nasty burn if he fell forward onto the torch, but this option reduces the risk of real catastrophe.

[PyroChixRock]

Oh that's a really good idea, and yes would eliminate a lot of the risk if he were to try blowing alone. Any idea where we can find such a pedal? I bet we can get one of the pedal makers to make him a special one if it isn't a stock item. Thanks girly.

[Greymatter Glass]

Oh that's a really good idea, and yes would eliminate a lot of the risk if he were to try blowing alone. Any idea where we can find such a pedal? I bet we can get one of the pedal makers to make him a special one if it isn't a stock item. Thanks girly.

Contact Jeff Rogers in Tucson (formerly of the Bay Area). He makes the pedals that Blast Shield sells, they're hands down the best quality I've seen so far for a decent price.

Here's his FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.rogers.5249

I would suggest some kind of small pilot light, or fail-safe so if it shuts off it has to be manually reset, not just stepping back on the switch... maybe a push button reset mounted on the bench or something. If you're shutting off ALL the gas flow you don't want to put the flame out, only to have a non-burning explosive mixture start to flow if he steps away for a second or something. You can get pressure sensitive floor mats that take a certain pressure to activate, so even if he fell down, but his weight was mostly off the mat it would turn off. That way he could move around a bit and not have to have his foot on a small switch every second.

[PyroChixRock]

Thanks Doug(e) I'll hit him up and see what's up.

I also suggested my friend wear the x-apron at all times, by torchwear.com. It will protect him if he has hot glass on him, and it's not bulky or uncomfortable to wear. I wear one.

Thanks for helping me think of ways to minimize his risk.

[dustyg]

This is more just obvious general safety that's extra important in this case, but make sure the torch is bolted to the bench, and make sure to keep the bench and floor clean. Also, don't have the kiln, pulled points, or anything else potentially burny or stabby anywhere where he could fall onto it.

Almost anything imaginable could be rigged up to switch off the gas flow. I don't know enough about what your friend goes through in a seizure to suggest a switch. If he has even a few seconds of warning, he could hit some sort of a kill switch that can't even be turned back on from that area. If he doesn't, maybe there's something he does during a seizure that could trigger the switch.

The solenoids could be right by the tank so that they turn off the gas to any hand torches or bunsen burners he's using. The switch could also text a friend (or 7) or sound an alarm. The alarm feature could wait 20 seconds or something for him to cancel it, so that the gas thing would be on a hair trigger without the other part giving too many false alarms.

None of that would be too terribly difficult or expensive with an Arduino. I could help out if you need it.

[Ray]

I think he would want a momentary on switch..when you push the pedal down it will allow the gas to flow..if foot comes off..it shuts down...that would be safest, but also the biggest PITA, having to have foot on switch always.

Something like this would be the pedal http://www.amazon.com/SSC-Controls-S100-1501-Electrical-Momentary/dp/B017T2J2NC/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1458244754&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=foot+pedal&psc=1#feature-bullets-btf

and 2 of these valves...and fittings..one for propane and one for oxy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Brass-Electric-Solenoid-Valve-110V-120V-Volt-AC-Water-Air-Gas-FKM-NC-B21V-/301658294834

I used a different switch pedal ...didn't want momentary action...wanted on and off switching but I got the 2 solinoids and some
electrical tape...I soldered the wires to a plug (if you don't know what your doing on that..have someone who does otherwise you may make the solinoids have 120 volts on the case)....
I cable tied the solinoids to the leg of my bench and use that as my 2 stage switch...

[snoopdog6502]

All that safety gear is fine and dandy but Id hope he would not be completely alone when working on a torch. A life alert button to wear might be a decent idea.

I have bad dizzy spells that make me stop what im doing and it is a real drag to be alone when it happens, fall down and bust a knee and be pretty much helpless.

Hope your friends find a solution so he can enjoy a nice warm fire and twist out some fine art.

[petermatra]

It depends how stable he is. I have seizures and I have thought about this often, but they are stable now. I make sure the bench is safe if I were to collapse. The nature of holding molten glass is not safe lol. It has an inherent risk, just like when we drive.

FYI my meds make my hands shake.

[FiredDesires]

Some great advice in here so far...I've heard about this before, the seizure thing that is...I'd be interested in knowing what, if identifyable, brings the seizures on with regards to glass. Does anyone think that the mineral/metallic oxides used for coloring could be a trigger? It would be helpful to know/understand what the "known" warning signs/triggers are to nr nryyrt ptrpstrf got sny episodes..helfful advice and thoughts would be appreciated. For those that suffer, be safe.....for those that don't...be grateful.

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