[Laser] Tutorial.

[Clifford Buttschardt]

Well I for one, are damn glad you took the time to so state.  If we had
what is usually done nowdays, all controls would be off.  I'll give you
just one example:  I was at the Rose Parade just two days ago.  The night
before, there were all kind of laser beams being emminated from the
Universal Studios area.  At the time I was MOST concerned that one of
these things would get away------but they did not!  They all were focused
on harmless areas.  This simple experience probably demonstrates that SOME
controls are necessary, that is if those administering those controls have
any technical background whatever rather than just political experience.
Cliff Buttschardt  K7RR



On Thu, 3 Jan 2002, Jason Creager wrote:

> I'm an entertainment laser professional who deals only with medium and
> large frame lasers. I'm a Certified Field Service Technician for Coherent
> Innova 90 and I-400 series. Philosophical arguments against the powers of
> the FDA because there isn't specific wording in The Constitution to enable
> the creation of such an entity may make you feel better, but they do as
> much good as peeing into the wind. The FDA and CDRH exist and there isn't a
> damned thing you'll EVER be able to do about it. Thank God they do, too.
> Yup, like everything in this world, they are not perfect. The FDA is far
> from perfect, but without someone to regulate food and drugs we'd still be
> living like pioneers in the old west never knowing if the latest cough
> elixir has strychnine in it or not. Arguing against everything that isn't
> specifically outlined in the Constitution is pure and completely pointless
> rhetoric. You might as well get rid of the DMV, FAA, and FCC at the same
> time.
> 
> The Center for Device and Radiological Health regulates laser usage in the
> USA. The beaucracy is rampant and a major pain, but once again, thank God
> it exists. If you go to a laser show in the USA, you know the chances of
> you taking a 25W hit in the eye is EXTREMELY small. You won't be able to
> touch or directly view anything but "diffuse scatter radiation". Every beam
> will be at least three meters above audience contact.
> 
> It is illegal to produce a show with a Class IV laser. Period. I believe it
> is technically a CFR (31. ?, maybe) and not a "law", per se, but it's been
> awhile since I've filled out an End of Year Report.
> 
> You have to apply for and be granted a variance so that you may "vary" from
> the rules. The wording is very specific about what types of effect you can
> use, what the venue will be like, what kind of equipment can be used (only
> "certified" systems, but no one can define "certified")
> 
> I can't imagine the kind of chaos that could result from unregulated high
> power laser use. Unfortunately, outdoor laser shows were targeted by the
> FAA several years ago because of possibly erroneous pilot reports. (High
> power spot lights are not regulated.)
> 
> Also, chances are you won't get "burned" by a high power laser. Laser
> energy transferance is frequency dependent, but I was told that argon
> technically boils the blood directly beneath the skin without burning it
> first.  :-)  It hurts, a LOT.
> -
> ========================================================
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> http://jason.creager.com		jason@creager.com	kc0erg@qsl.net
> Las Vegas, NV			TRA #6744		
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