RE: Haunted House Coil Use

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau-at-compaq-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

For what it's worth, the Boston Museum of Science has a regular
demonstration of a large (6++? foot sparks) Tesla Coil in their Theater of
Electricity.  It's been about 2 years since I saw the show but I don't
recall seeing any warning signs regarding pacemakers or such, and certainly
no written waivers of responsibility.  There is just a warning that the show
contains loud noises.  The viewing public is merely out of striking
distance, no Faraday cages.  And the Tesla discharges are dwarfed by the
enormous thunder claps when they fire up their Van De Graff.  Based on this,
I think suggesting such strongly worded precautions are unnecessary.

Gary Lau
Waltham, MA USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 2:20 PM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: RE: Haunted House Coil Use


Original poster: "Dale Hall" <Dale.Hall-at-trw-dot-com> 

Hi Ted,
A warning sign is absolutely necessary 
entering a high energy electrical discharge area similar to lightning, 

(consider wording to the effect:
 Individuals with medical conditions, implants, etc. must not enter without
doctor knowledge and approval) 

Individual entry is voluntary.
Individual entry assumes full responsibility and liability for themselves
and minor children.

Additionally
I urge you to insist anyone who has a pacemaker or medical condition (or
just everyone)
"sign" a well worded waiver before entry, (mandatory for anyone with a
condition assuring they understand what "assuming full self responsibility
and liability, means)

unless your financial condition/insurance is robust enough to survive a
suit.

(just one wrecks your life and one may be filed by someone who just got
scared 
to teach you a lesson under guise to protect all future unwary innocent
public) 
should someone have a problem and didn't fully understand the potential
affects. 
A signed waiver may prevent any filing, 
should there be an unfortunate incident or after thoughts (gremlins).

The LA & Calif Science Fairs prohibit TC firing due to insurance liability,
desiring not have science fair cancellation in future years.

BTW, the 3' spark may not be the only concern. 
The E & H field may cause charge and/or induction at longer distances.
Safe for most in good health but liability applies to the most frail and
susceptible.

Also Ozone is toxic and if allowed to accumulate causes nausea/headaches.
Assure ample ventilation!

Regards, Dale

-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 7:22 AM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Haunted House Coil Use

Original poster: "Ted Rosenberg" <Ted.Rosenberg-at-radioshack-dot-com> 

You people raise an excellent good point. As many know by now, my 6" coil is
being built specifically for use in the Hangman's House of Horrors in FtW
this October. Saftey and warning signs have been uppermost in everyone's
mind along with getting the entire project (including the Jacobs Ladder)
past the Fort Worth Fire Dept Inspector!! I suggested he check the coil
closeup.

The coil, assuming a max spark of 3' will be at least 2X that disance from
any patron or grounded metal EXCEPT the overhead target.
The patrons will see Danger High Voltage signs at prominent locations.
The pacemaker question has yet to be fully addressed. I have gotten mixed
responses.
But one of the staff members is a highly respected Prof of Anatomy at a
local college. Others are also looking into the situation. I will be sure to
post the results.

Aside...be sure to also address the Huggies/Depends question <smile> based
on haunted house video I have seen <thanks Jeff P.>.

Ted R.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2000 11:51 AM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Public display of a Coil....HELLLPP !!

Original poster: "Stan" <sdarling-at-columbus.rr-dot-com> 

I noticed last October that the houses in Columbus had signs posted
along the gates where you line up while waiting your turn to go in.  The
first I noticed was No part of this show, human or mechanical, will ever
touch you and you will not touch them. The other was a warning that they
used high rep strobes and that people with certain conditions might want
to reconsider going in.  Seems like a TC/pacemaker warning would fit
right in here.

-Stan

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>
> 
> Hi Scot,    He are my thoughts on this...
> 
> At 08:51 PM 7/14/00 -0500, you wrote:
> >Hi All......
> >
> >I have been approached by a person who would like me to display my coil
in a
> >Haunted house setting this coming Holloween.
> 
> This is fairly common.
> >
> >Also brought up was the possiblity of pacemakers being affected by the
> activity
> >of the Coil...
> >Is there definate proof that coils do cause pacemakers to malfunction???
> 
> There are a number of reasonably reported incidents where pacemakers have
> been affected by Tesla coils.  The fancy highly computerized and
> defibrillator types seem to be more prone to the effects.  However, these
> pacemakers can also be set off by a number of other electrical devices.
> People with these devices have been warned about powerful electrical
> devices and you should have a sign directed to them in the area to warn
> them this is one of those things the doctors warned them against.  No one
> has been killed or anything but the defibrillator types have been false
> triggered adding a "real jolt" to the show for the wearer.  A well worded
> warning sign to pacemaker wearers should be all that is needed but the
> insurance company can probably guide you with this.
> 
> Hope this sheds a little light on this long and difficult subject.
> 
> Cheers,     Terry
> >
> >If any of you Professional Coil displayers have some answers / help /
ideas to
> >help me through this delemma, I would very much appreciate hearing from
you...
> >Thanks >Scot D