Welcome to the Directions Page

Your success with Cryoguard™ indicators begins with the activation process. We are here to assist you. Read on for useful advice on activating and using the indicators. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

Preparing the Indicator

• Freeze indicator for at least one hour prior to activation at a temperature that is more 30 degrees centigrade below the signal temperature of the indicator.
  

 Why: Activating incompletely frozen indicators can cause them to produce a false indication of thermal exposure during or shortly after activation.

• Freeze indicator with the pin straight up.

Why: This makes it easier to activate the frozen indicators.

• Just prior to activation remove the frozen indicator from the cold environment, place it in room temperature air and wait for 10-15 seconds (M-40 indicator) or 20-30 seconds for other indicators. We recommend holding the indicator with a gloved hand or pliers while you are waiting.

Why: This softens the frozen indicator and makes it easier to activate the indicator without causing the indicator to give a false indication of thermal exposure upon activation or shortly after activation.

• Use insulated gloves to handle frozen indicators.

Why: This prevents burns to your hand and minimizes thermal exposure of the indicator from your hands.

• Activate the frozen indicator by pressing the pin into the indicator until it is flush with body of the indicator.

Why: This lifts the seal required for indicator activation.

Depressing the Pin

Choose from two methods of depressing the pin. We recommend using pliers to activate the indicator (see Method 2 below).

Method 1. Press the indicator pin into the frozen indicator (after waiting the appropriate time) by pressing down on the indicator with a gloved hand on a hard surface such as steel or concrete.

Why: This method requires no tools.

Method 2. Press the indicator pin into the frozen indicator (after waiting the appropriate time) using a channel lock pliers.

Why: This method provides a more convenient and rapid way of activating the indicator.

• Do not use a hammer or a high impact devise to drive the pin into the frozen indicator.

Why: This may puncture rather than raise the activation seal and cause the indicator not to be activated even though the pin is pressed flush with the body of the indicator.

Handling the Activated Indicator

• Immediately after activation place the indicator back into the environment used to freeze the indicator for at least 30 minutes. The freezer environment should be at least 30 degrees below the trigger temperature of the indicators.

Why: This prevents thermal exposure of the indicator.

• Before placing the activated indicator into a shipping container, make sure the indicator is green.

Why: The green color signals that the indicator has been properly activated.

• When using dry shippers, make sure the dry shipper is at least 30 degrees below the trigger temperature of the indicator before placing a frozen indicator in the dry shipper.

Why: This prevents premature action of the indicator while the shipper is cooling down.

• Indicators can be activated and stored in liquid nitrogen vapors or in freezers for later use in shipping containers.

Why: This makes activated indicators immediately available for placement in shipping containers.

• Indicators, whether activated or not, should not be used after their expiration date.

Why: The action of expired indicators may be compromised.