Fursuit Question: Staying Hydrated

[Deoge]

Well I have woundered for a while if any of ya have done this before?
Hopefully I get my fursuit in the next month, but from what I have read, (and slightly experience from a halloween costume) is that you quote, "Sweat Balls" in your fursuit and need to drink lots of water.

Heres the question:
Has anyone ever worn a Hydration Pack with some dry ice (PLACE INSIDE A BAG! Then inserted into pack) on there back underneath there fursuit. My plan is to wear one underneath and pull the drinking hose up through my neck and into my head where I can slup water when needed. 
Seem like a good idea eh!
IF SO...did it look like you had a terrible hump !

I will be testing this out in Sept. as I already own multiple hydration packs

[Fenris]

If your suit was in a style that my suit is going to be in, put it in the chest... there a big hump there anyways. Or just wear a backpack...

[Lady Serpent]

Hey there, mate.

People have used cold packs and such things before, though I don't know exactly about a hydration pack.  Shouldn't be any reason why it won't work, though.  You're not supposed to wear anything like that around your head area, because it can mess with the part of your brain that regulates body temperature and you can easily overheat without even realising you're that warm.

Thing about dry ice is that you'd like it in a container and not near your skin, as you'll get some amazing instant frostbite if it's too close to you.  The other bit is that you want it in a somewhat breathable container because otherwise it's going to explode on you. 

If you had anything but a small amount of dry ice, you also would want to be careful that you're not letting it sublimate in an enclosed area like a car with the windows rolled up.  There's not THAT much danger of suffocation in a situation like that, but it CAN make you or the driver drowsy if there's enough.  I would doubt there'd be sufficient quantity for that,  though.

Drinking water is a good idea periodically as long as you're able to get out of the suit quick enough to pee.

Keep us updated if you decide to try it; it'd be interesting to see your design.

Cheers,
-Lady Serpent

[Temperance]

I designed my suit with velcro in the thighs and chest (under the padding) where I can place cold packs.

After my suit was done, my husband suggested I use a Camel Pack (A backpack with a water bladder and a tube straw you can hold in your mouth,  I'm assuming that's what you are referring to).  However since I didn't design my suits with that in mind, the camel pack didn't fit once I tried to close the zipper ^_^;;

Ammy is out of luck, I have to cart around bottles of water and gatorade with long straws to drink.  However, for My Minotaur, I ordered a wine skin.  Since he's already covered in jewelry and wears a loin cloth, the wine sack just adds to the costume.  And since the wine skin has a long neck on it, I don't need a straw to drink from it.

[Fenris]

I should have asked beetle cat to make room in the chest for a water bladder thingy in the chest...

[PyroVulpes]

I should have asked beetle cat to make room in the chest for a water bladder thingy in the chest...

You sure it's too late to request that? Even if she has already finished the main torso, I'm sure she could modify it.

[Fenris]

Ehhh... I'll just buy a shit load of Gatorade...

[Deoge]

Sweet! Thx All, Ill inform you of my results in Sept.
Ya Temperance, Camel Pack (Hydration Pack, Bladder Pack) all the same! Fenris I like the idea of me wearing it on my chest better than my back...Thx for the input makes more sence!

[Fenris]

If you wear it on your chest... just make sure there's enough fabric in between the pack and you... don't want those nipples getting too perky. xD

[Deoge]

  LOL  "My nipples look like milk duds".... AAAAAAA lol  just imagin if I sprun a leak in that area ontop of the nipple perkyness....Srry, If I offened anyone 

[Fenris]

If it showed through the fur people would be like "Are you lactating buddy?" xDDDDDD

[PyroVulpes]

don't want those nipples getting too perky. xD

But, what if he wants them that perky!

[Deoge]

 

[RappyRaptor]

I just drink lots of water.  I sweat like crazy, but I don't feel overheated.

[Fenris]

Temperance said the same thing tonight when we were out.

[Temperance]

yup.  You kind of get into a mindset and then the heat and sweat doesn't bother you.
Usually I'm just having too much fun to notice ^_^

[Deoge]

Good to hear!!!

[SoulWolf]

I've use a hydration pack a couple of times.  I normally don't bother but have found reason to on a couple occasions.  With a fursuit which is form-fitting, the pack would be noticeable, but with a suit which has some padding, it may or may not depending on the individual suit.  The one I bought was found Canadian Tire (a few years back) for about $20.  It was made for cycling and has a removable bladder, insulated pack and the pack is elongated and not too wide and doesn't stand very high off the back (so it's not as noticeable).  The insulated pack keeps the contents cool and prevents you from feeling the temperature on your back.

Honestly, I'd say to try suiting without any cooling aids (maybe a head fan).  There are many options to help stay cool if you do have a problem.  I'm not sure if I would buy a hydration pack again, simply because of how seldom I've used it, but if you've decided you want to try one, I recommend the one at Canadian Tire.   It was a yellow and black pack.

Hope that helps. 

[pauly099]

where would u get dry ice.. also what kind of fursuit are u getting?? u buying it?

[Deoge]

where would u get dry ice.. also what kind of fursuit are u getting?? u buying it?

Well...The dry ice probably wont happen, Ill probably insert freezer packs into the hydration bladder, Its kinda safer that way now that I think of it.

As for my fursuit pauly, Im paying around $1300 for SPark (http://www.sparkcostumes.com/) to create a full fursuit of Deoge , It should be completed Sept./Oct.