Packing ice for competitions

[lindajdunn]

I'm trying to figure out how to insure I can ice down an injured area after a competition. Plan A was to pack some of those in$tant ice pack$ when I leave for Atlanta but I just discovered that leaving them in a hot car can ruin them.

I'm now trying to develop a plan B and thus I'm asking: How do you insure you have ready access to ice at a distant competiton?

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

You buy ice/icepacks in the same area of the venue.

[IHateMrPotatohead]

The trainer at National events keeps a massive supply of ice packs everyday. Just ask them and they give it to you.

[JasminaJ]

Or you can buy the instant ice packs at most sports stores and pharmacies.
Just break the little capsule inside.

[nahouw]

I'm now trying to develop a plan B and thus I'm asking: How do you insure you have ready access to ice at a distant competiton?

go to the trainer and get a bag of ice.

[Phaeton]

Don't leave them in the car. Wake up, take them to the venue with you, leave them in your bag, drive back to your (I presume) hotel and take them out again. Repeat as needed.

[sabreur]

If your hotel room has a mini-fridge, you can always buy the gel-packs and put them in the refrigerator before you go to the venue, so they are cold when you are finished fencing.

[lindajdunn]

The trainer at National events keeps a massive supply of ice packs everyday. Just ask them and they give it to you.

Wow! That's great news. Thanks.

I've been using frozen peas lately. They work well but storage is problematic.

[IHateMrPotatohead]

not a suggestion for Nationals....but do you know how to make your own gelpack icebags? (they are even better than frozen peas....trust me!)

Put equal parts water and rubbing alcohol in a freezer bag. (I double bag them.) Mix well. Put in freezer overnight, and voila!, your own gelpack. You can refreeze them over and over again, and they are a heck of a lot cheaper than buying them at the store.

[lindajdunn]

not a suggestion for Nationals....but do you know how to make your own gelpack icebags? (they are even better than frozen peas....trust me!)

Put equal parts water and rubbing alcohol in a freezer bag. (I double bag them.) Mix well. Put in freezer overnight, and voila!, your own gelpack. You can refreeze them over and over again, and they are a heck of a lot cheaper than buying them at the store.

Thank. No, I hadn't known how to make my own gelpacks. One of my frustrations was that the re-freezeable ice packs just don't work well for a back-of-the-leg or a knee injury. Or at least... not MINE. They keep sliding off and provide uneven coverage.

I'll give this a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Put equal parts water and rubbing alcohol in a freezer bag. (I double bag them.) Mix well. Put in freezer overnight, and voila!, your own gelpack.

That sounds very interesting. Only one thing, what is rubbing alcohol..?

Any chemical name or link to a picture/product information would be much appreciated!

[Inquartata]

Isopropyl alcohol. It's used as a topical disinfectant over here.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Isopropyl alcohol. It's used as a topical disinfectant over here.

Thank you.

[sabreur]

One of my frustrations was that the re-freezeable ice packs just don't work well for a back-of-the-leg or a knee injury. Or at least... not MINE. They keep sliding off and provide uneven coverage.

Put a thin towel on the skin, put the gelpack(s) on the towel and ace bandage (not too tightly) the whole shooting match to the site. That way, you can even get up and go to fridge for a post competition cool beverage without having to reset the icepack.