Vol. 07: MakeShift

The creator of MacGyver challenges you to save a man stuck in a fissure filled with toxic gas.

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The Scenario:

You set off on a solo backpacking jaunt one blissfully free weekend, in search of a legendary mountain hot spring that has remained pristine thanks to the 12-plus-hour climb it takes to reach it. A well-earned sweat topped off with nothing but silence, solitude, and hot water - what's not to like?

Just as your topo map indicates that you're within minutes of the spring, you hear an agonized shouting from somewhere off the rocky trail. You quickly discover a large, cylindrical fissure in the ground, about 15 feet in diameter and about 20 feet deep, at the bottom of which lies a rather large example of humanity, with his leg bent at such an unnatural angle that there's no doubt it's badly broken. You yell down to the man - who is easily twice your weight - to say help has arrived. He acknowledges you with a wave, but he seems to be fading fast from shock, pain, or whatever. the walls of thet fissure are nearly vertical and full of jagged rocks, but your experience tells you they're scalable. Still, there's no way you'll be able to climb those rocks with this guy on your back. You'll have to come up with another way to get him out of this whole.

And then it hits you:

A noxious, sulfuric smell that says that this fissure is a vent for the same gases that make the hot springs so warm and bubbly. If you don't quickly find a way to get fresh air to this guy, he's not going to survive long enough for you to rescue him.

The Challenge:

Devise a way to keep this guy breathing while you come up with and execute a plan to safely extract him from the fissure. Then get him stabilized long enough that you can either get him off the mountain yourself, or hike back out to summon more help.

Here's what you've got:

A top-of-the-line backpack with a nested, detachable water container, a sleeping bag, inflatable air mattress, two-man backpacking tent, a large towel, cook set, butane stove, camping food, and a basic first aid kit. You also have 40 feet of nylon rope, an elaborate Swiss Army knife (or Leatherman tool), a 25-foot roll of duct tape, a small Maglite-type flashlight, your trusty, 6-foot bamboo walking stick, and the bandanna around your neck. Any questions? Good, 'cause humanity awaits.

~~~

Send a detailed description of your MakeShift solution with sketches and/or photos to makeshift@makezine.com by October 27, 2006. If duplicate designs are submitted, the winner will be determined by the quality of the explanation and presentation. The most plausible and creative solutions will each win MAKE sweatshirt. Think positive and include your shirt size and contact information with your description. For rules and solutions to previous MakeShift challenges, visit makezine.com/makeshift.

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Showing messages 1 through 12 of 12.

Would a pulley system work?
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I like the idea of the most creative solution using a turning force. But if you set up a pulley secured to the top ground add rocks to the backback; put it on; make a strecher out of 2 rods and sleeping bag; use a full matress with tube to breath; then repel down with backback on back and raise casulty to top with rope pulling him up as you repel down. This improvision is a little tricky though. Although you'd have to scale the wall by hand to get out. This makeshift was tricky. Can anyone think of a good pulley device?

Trurl
Posted by Trurl_ on February 21, 2007 at 23:50:17 Pacific Time

A lot of C's and H's, not a lot of O's
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Chemistry never was my strong side, but looking at the molecular formulars it doesn't lok good. What do we have:
Hydrogen Sulfide (g) = H2S
Butane (g) = C4H10
Water (l) = H2O
Maybe some alochol (l) = C2H6O
Is there a chance to crank oxygen out of any of that?

Posted by Joker52 on January 06, 2007 at 20:28:33 Pacific Time

Just couldn't do it!
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I couldn't wrap my brain around this one. I feel odd not putting my two-cents in writing, just kept hitting brick walls.

Good luck to all that submitted.
Posted by VinnyF on October 27, 2006 at 09:45:52 Pacific Time

A nested, detachable water container?
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Could someone post a link to something like this? I have no idea what this is.
Posted by th4n3 on September 29, 2006 at 08:29:57 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell or Sulfuric Acid Smell.......
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The print and Digital edition of this article states that it a "sulfuric smell", and the online summary says that it is a "sulfuric acid smell". Which one is it?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by WTG141 on August 24, 2006 at 16:43:00 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell
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Hi Folks -
We've confirmed with Lee that it's a "sulfuric smell". Sorry for the confusion!
-t

Posted by terrie on August 29, 2006 at 10:02:31 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell
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Roger that! Thanks!
Posted by VinnyF on September 01, 2006 at 06:31:06 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell or Sulfuric Acid Smell.......
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My guess is that H2S is bubbling through water, making H2SO4, then getting vaporized - but that's very, very hot. Not sure since it's been a LONG time since I actually handled H2SO4.

I know that H2S smells like rotten eggs, from my chemistry set when I was a kid (melted wax + sulfur), and is flammable.

At any rate, either gas/vapor isn't very good for your health :)
Posted by VinnyF on August 27, 2006 at 07:04:51 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell or Sulfuric Acid Smell.......
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Thanks for the info, but that still doesn't fix the semantics of the article. We could guess which is which until the cows come home, and that won't help anybody :)
Posted by WTG141 on August 27, 2006 at 10:40:03 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell or Sulfuric Acid Smell.......
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According to my dictionary, Sulfuric means of or pertaining to sulfur. Works for me. WRT H2S or H2SO4, the acid does not occur in nature in quantity (too reactive), nor does it vaporize. H2S, however, does, will spring from hot springs, and kills about as effectively as HCN (Cyanide gas).
Posted by th4n3 on September 29, 2006 at 08:39:22 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell or Sulfuric Acid Smell.......
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(as Steve Martin)
Well excuuuuuuuuuuuusssse me! ;0P LOL!

Posted by VinnyF on August 28, 2006 at 11:04:44 Pacific Time

Sulfuric Smell or Sulfuric Acid Smell.......
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mmKay....
Posted by WTG141 on August 28, 2006 at 19:44:57 Pacific Time

Showing messages 1 through 12 of 12.

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