# Everett MA boys Eat Dry Ice **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 6, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476 "2010-05-06T03:38:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/21 "2010-05-06T12:11:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Coulda been worse: Unsubstantiated Darwin Award story about drinking liquid nitrogen. > Reply With Quote My office mate told me about that this morning. This is another report of same, with a photo of the guy: [http://www.wpi.edu/News/Wire/Jan99/nitrogen.html](http://www.wpi.edu/News/Wire/Jan99/nitrogen.html) as for Dry Ice harming you – if you’ve held it in your hand you know that it can cause “burns”. Trapped in the stomache with no escape route I can easily see it chilling a spot enough to cause permanent damage, as in the scar **Ferret Herder** mentions. Liquid Nitrogen would be worse. the Leidenfrost effect is temporary, and eventually, especially if confined, the gas barrier breaks down, and damage to the tissue is more certain than with dry ice. When I was in grad school I watched guys “gargle” with liquid nitrogen. I didn’t emulate them because I was worried about swallowing, and about the temperature differential cracking my teeth. (According to my office mate people he knew who “gargled” LN2 _did_ later find they had microfractures in their tooth enamel). So don’t let your mummy baby swallow dry ice, or gargle with liquid nitrogen. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/22 "2010-05-06T12:28:19Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Was this part of a school experiment, and if so, shouldn’t there have been a science teacher nearby pointing and saying “don’t eat that”? The second linked article actually states that the adult in charge told the boys _don’t do that!_, but of course then went and did it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/23 "2010-05-06T12:46:00Z")
I hear its da bomb to put some dry ice in your mouth and then take a swig of some white russian. Kinda like the suck on a lime then take a swig of tequila thingy, only cooler. ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/24 "2010-05-06T12:47:26Z")
And please do note that the article about a similar incident, cited by Cal, took place at Worcester PolyTech. That’s right, in Worcester, Massachusetts. _sigh_ No, really, we are very smart up here for the most part… ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/25 "2010-05-06T13:02:12Z")
Hey, at least the kids were _doing something_, not just sitting around playing video games.😃 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/26 "2010-05-06T13:09:15Z")
> [@](#): > > Hey, at least the kids were doing something, not just sitting around playing video games. “ohh, man – you killed your guy. What’d you do?” “I made him eat dry ice. Look – his stomach exploded.” “Cool. Let’s restart it and make him drink liquid nitrogen!” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/27 "2010-05-06T13:19:31Z")
> [@Salem](#): > > And please do note that the article about a similar incident, cited by Cal, took place at Worcester PolyTech. That’s right, in Worcester, Massachusetts. _sigh_ > > No, really, we are very smart up here for the most part… A few years ago I was at a party where the drinks (all soda, no EtoH) were chilled with dry ice. Who were the fucking geniuses who thought this stunt up? MIT students. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/28 "2010-05-06T14:20:25Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > What the hell? Someone _tells_ you to do it, and you do it? FOR NO REWARD?? > ! What do you mean no reward? Bragging Rights babe! I did his dare and laughed in the face of danger. John Wayne’s a wimp, I’m a real man! ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/29 "2010-05-06T14:32:49Z")
So what knee-jerk reaction can we now expect from the parents and school officials? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/30 "2010-05-06T14:43:28Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > So what knee-jerk reaction can we now expect from the parents and school officials? ‘These special science classes are too dangerous for our pwecious widdle angels who were not being supervised and instructed sufficiently for them to understand that this was a bad thing. Being told not to breathe or taste it was not enough warning, as swallowing the dry ice is something else entirely. We will be petitioning the school board to take away these dangerous classes and suing the teacher and school for willfully endangering our youth.’ Next year: ‘We’re going to protest at the next school board meeting about why science scores on the state competency test are down overall at the school. Why can’t these teachers instruct our students properly?’ ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/31 "2010-05-06T14:43:41Z")
2 Adult supervisors, 24 kids and no one noticed these three, daring each other to drink, or drinking? Perhaps they failed to understand they were, giving school children, potentially harmful materials. And were supposed to be actually supervising, not just ‘telling’ them what not to do, but actually overseeing that they follow those instructions. I’d like to hear what the two supervisors have to say for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/32 "2010-05-06T14:48:53Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > 2 Adult supervisors, 24 kids and no one noticed these three, daring each other to drink, or drinking? Drinking doesn’t take that long, you know. I suspect it was a back lab table, three kids whispering, then _chug_. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/33 "2010-05-06T15:13:19Z")
Thanks, all, the more you know. I wouldn’t blame the adults. If it’s just one teacher and you’ve told them, “Don’t do x y z,” then often it’s just a matter of the kids doing it because they think they know better. I remember in 3rd grade science (not exactly a science lab but we had basic science classes) we once were given a bunch of substances (some of it was stuff like salt and sugar and there was other non edible stuff) and told to describe it. Just to practice getting in the habit of being all scientific, and we were told over and over don’t eat it and I remember guys at my table eating the stuff and daring each other to. I never did because I was a dork. Even when they said it tasted like sugar. ETA: OK, it was two teachers. But still…you’d think that at this age, you wouldn’t have to supervise them like that. It’s not like they’re little kids. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/34 "2010-05-06T15:23:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Drinking doesn’t take that long, you know. I suspect it was a back lab table, three kids whispering, then _chug_. In my high school, we made ethanol by mixing rice, water, and yeast and letting it ferment. Then we distilled the result to about 180 proof. One of the guys was in the back of the room, cutting it with water and drinking little hits. Pretty stupid, but at least he knew he was basically drinking high school-made vodka, not dry ice. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/35 "2010-05-06T15:29:30Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > A few years ago I was at a party where the drinks (all soda, no EtoH) were chilled with dry ice. > > Who were the fucking geniuses who thought this stunt up? > > MIT students. Hey, MIT students know that dry ice is denser than water, so it doesn’t float. So as long as you use big chunks (small ones tend to get covered in water ice, and then float), it’s perfectly safe. For a given approximation of “perfectly”. Now dropping dry ice bombs down the center of a 5 story stairwell - that was dangerous. A fraternity brother of mine had to spend a week in Mass Eye & Ear after he held on to one for a bit too long. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/36 "2010-05-06T15:34:00Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > The thing _I_ find completely baffling is the whole concept of doing something incredibly stupid and dangerous on a freakin’ _dare_. > > What the hell? Someone _tells_ you to do it, and you do it? FOR NO REWARD?? > > Anyone tried to pull that crap with me, I would’ve demanded one of two things: 1. You first, or 2. Put up cash, and keep putting up until I like what I see. No pay, no play, wimp! Had to. It wasn’t just a dare; it was a DOUBLE-DOG dare. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/37 "2010-05-06T16:38:00Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > When I first read the thread title, I thought that the kid climbing Mt Everest had gotten desperate enough to start eating ice. Me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/38 "2010-05-06T17:54:55Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Had to. It wasn’t just a dare; it was a DOUBLE-DOG dare. These kids created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the triple dare and going right for the throat! ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/39 "2010-05-06T18:02:39Z")
This is why testosterone should be a controlled substance. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476/40 "2010-05-06T18:17:12Z")
Dares are incredibly powerful things to kids- 9th grade biology resulted in R\*\*\* M\*\*\*\*\*\*\* eating the dissected earthworm after being dared to eat it (the preservative smell was off-putting let alone the worm). Mr. B\*\*\*\*\*\* came back in, saw what he was doing, had him spit out the rest of it and suspended R\*\*\* for a week. So it came as no surprise when the next dare was posed during the frog dissection two weeks later, and R\*\*\* got caught with the frog leg in his mouth. There is no greater cause for a young male than to be viewed as cool- and a dare gets you there by leaps and bounds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everett-ma-boys-eat-dry-ice/538476.md?page=3)