Source
r/answers•
BenoxLP

I want my brother to be able to go camping, but he needs to cool Medicaments. Power should be available, can anybody help?

Hey Guys, so:

I have a little brother, right now he is 12 years old. We are both part of the local scout group, and this summer, my brother will go to a 2-week camp. Now, here's the problem:

He has to take daily doses of a medicament that has to be kept at 2-8°C (35.6-46.4°F). It is not much, a case not bigger than a shoe. But normally, there is no fridge in the camp, groceries etc. are bought fresh. Normal minibars and cooling cases from the internet we tried don't reach under 12°C (53.6°F).

We are aware that we can try to get a restaurant etc. to store it for us. But this solution is highly dependant on things we can't control, so I strongly dislike it. What I can say for sure is that we will have power available.

We are not stingy about thinks concerning that matter, so feel free to tell me everything that comes to your minds. I would also say that we can tolerate small temperature fluctuations, since we can stuff whatever is used as container with cooling packs.

It can also be big, we can transport it to the camp site with a car at the beginning and go take it back at the end.

So, tldr:

  • Meds have to be kept at 2-8°C = 35,6-46,4°F
  • Case is 18x9x4 [cm] = 7,1x3,5x1,6 [inches]
  • Power is available
  • Costs are not the first priority
  • Asking other people to cool it has already been acknowledged

I am very grateful for all help I get, and appreciate every try. Just tell me what comes to your minds!

Posted Feb 26, 2021, 7:02 PM UTC

316
BCweallmakemistakes•

I'm assuming insulin?

There're a lot of solutions for this, cheap and expensive. Sou ds like something your brother could use longterm, too.

This seems to be a midrange option: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJL44B2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_QNC3FS1TX9R5Y5WN189Q

5
BenoxLPOP•

Not insulin, growth hormones. But I also stumbled about the fact that insulin has a similar range of storage temperature, and I also found insulin minicoolers. Really appreciate the help my dude!

(copypaste) I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

3
serenwipiti•

I'd suggest that you call the child's physician and/or pharmacist, they can give you more precise advice about how to go about this.

3
BenoxLPOP•

Surely doing that. But if it interests you, I might have found a solution:

(copypaste) I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

2
serenwipiti•

That sounds great!

Here's a site I found on google, they complied a list of insulin coolers. There are also pouches that can keep insulin cold for around 8hrs.

I hope you find a solution that works for him, take care!

2
youngphi•

Sorry for lack of formatting g but I’m on mobile and quite ill but

Would this work?

Igloo ICEB26HNSS Automatic Self-Cleaning Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Handle, 26 Pounds in 24 Hours, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 7 minutes, With Ice Scoop and Basket, Stainless https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XS8DVPT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DWH3K4ZEF30BEZ4CXVN4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

2
BenoxLPOP•

I am not sure if I get this correctly, but to me, it seems this machine has only one storage unit, with ice as cooling material. Ice is normally stored around 0°C, which is too cold. Thanks for the idea, I will keep it in my mind nontheless

1
OccamsBeard•

Wouldn't a little cube refrigerator work? What happens if your power goes out? Will you be close enough to outside help in an emergency?

2
BenoxLPOP•

It has to be reliable, since we will be going on day-long hikes while the meds have to stay safe back at the camp. What I found is the following:

(copypaste) I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

1
PapaFedorasSnowden•

Beer fridges generally stay within that temperature. Champagne coolers too. Our beer fridge is always between 2.5-4.5ºC. They also fit this size package easily. Keeping medication in proper working temperatures is very important for hormones and immunobiological drugs, so this can also be used at home. Bonus points bc they are also great to cool soda.

2
BenoxLPOP•

Are they small enough to be transportable?

I also found another solution, here:

(copypaste) I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

2
PapaFedorasSnowden•

They aren't tiny, but if you have a car, you can definitely put them in the trunk. A specifically designed insulin cooler will probably be better though!

1
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1
[deleted]•

Many larger scout camps have a nurses station with refrigeration capabilities. Have you checked whether the camp he will be attending will have anything?

1
BenoxLPOP•

We will set up the camp ourselves, there is just a local farm from where we get water, power and can use the toilet. So, there wont be a camp-nurse or something like that. And since temperatures have to be kept steady, and from experience we know, not all refrigeators do that, I dont trust the one of the farmer. But:

(copypaste) I think I might have found a solution in the meantime, there are some kind of small insulin coolers that keep those temperatures and can run on power or battery. I will experiment with them, and hope I find one that works until summer. Thanks for all the help <3!

1
Carnage201989•

If you got 120v power then get yourself a plug in cooler might cost a bit to get one that could keep those temperatures but worth it

1