The Camel Conversion Project

[Das Mel]

Duuuuude, I like the colour of the countertop. What did you use to glue it down with? Mine's coming up.

[dmc]

Amazing work. Has there been any more progress on your build over the summer?

[PDBreske]

Some bad news. Very bad news.

For the past 12 weeks I was in the burn unit at Shands hospital in Gainesville. I came home yesterday.

Back in July, I went into the bus to check the new propane system for leaks. I could't smell anything, so I assumed the air was clear. I was inside for a good two minutes before I threw any switches, just in case. Well, apparently, there was a small leak somewhere. When i pushed the igniter switch on the cooktop, the whole place exploded in a flash fire. I watched for a brief moment as the fireball expanded toward my face and body, then yelled (probably saved my lungs) and spun around to the door.

I was burned over about 27% of my body, mostly hands and legs, areas not covered by clothing. I was eventually rushed to Shands where I spent a few days in a coma and managed to survive sepsis. While under the effects of all the different pain meds, I also got to experience a bit of mental illness as I was hallucinating terribly for a few weeks. Everything from thinking corrupt police were trying to kill me to watching a bootleg copy of Godzilla on the ceiling of a South Beach bar—while still in my hospital bed.

As an added bonus, my arms and fingers have developed a somewhat rare form of bone ossification that affects only some trauma patients, leaving my elbows and a few fingers of each hand locked in position. I can't reach any part of my body above the waist with my hands, so I require help with almost everything. My parents and girlfriend are helping out and they are wonderful.

I have a long road to full recovery, but the doctors say that everything can be fixed with time, physical therapy, and more surgery for the ossification. In the meantime, the bus is on hold. Even my photography is off limits until I regain the use of my elbows and fingers.

So, remember to check and double-check your lines for leaks. I wouldn't wish my experience on my worst enemy and I don't want to read about it on this forum.

[jazty]

Oh no! I'm really sorry to hear this! I hope you heal well, PDBreske...

[heavilyredacted]

That's horrible!! Loving your bus, Get better soon and back on track. All the best.

[M1031]

I will be praying for you and your family in this time of crisis. I'll also let my friends and family know and do the same. Godspeed on your recovery.

M1031

[sojourner]

So sad to hear of your accident. This kind of thing was one of my biggest fears, being a boat mechanic for over 25 years. Flammable fumes in confined spaces with ignition source is a very bad thing. Thanks for warning everyone here. I sincerely hope you have a speed recovery and regain that which is lost. I will be praying for you for such. Thankfully you have loving peeps there to help you along the way. One cannot imagine having to walk this path alone. From one "Camel" (Gimel (our buses name) is Hebrew for Camel) owner to another, "Get well soon".

Travis

[dond]

Thought and prayers for a full recovery. Never give up!!

[Locutus]

Holy cr@p! So sorry to hear of your accident. It's said in the RV world that owners should have a qualified technician check the propane lines annually. This definitely proves the point, the hard way. I hope you have a speedy and full recovery.

Just before I read your account of your accident, I noticed in your photos that you have your stove top located under cabinets with no vent hood. This is another accident waiting to happen and should be corrected after you've recovered and resume your conversion work. In residential construction, there has to be a range hood above a stove top, and it has to be at least 30 inches (if I remember correctly) above the stove top. Words to the wise.

[Ponyracer]

Sorry to hear about this, good luck and god speed getting back on your feet.

[browncrown]

Best wishes my friend for a total and speedy recovery!

[eyedeal.ink]

Dude! Scary **** here man, sorry to hear about your setback, we were wondering why you hadn't posted in a while.

[thjakits]

All the best and a speedy recovery!!

Thanks for the call to attention!

thjakits

[somewhereinusa]

I'll say an extra prayer for your speedy recovery.

[PDBreske]

Okay, so I haven't been inside the bus since the accident (haven't wanted to tackle the high first step to get inside with my still-stick-like legs), but I did want to share some pictures of the inside from back in July, before the explosion.

New stove works fine (just don't fire it up when there is a cloud of propane in the air!)


Cabinets painted all spiffy


Attaching the edge guard to countertop


Kitchen finished, minus cabinet doors


Shower interior painted and done


And a couple from more recently:

This is what happens when polycarbonate reading glasses are exposed to a flash fire. Luckily, my eyes didn't end up like this


This is me after about a week in the burn unit. Don't play with fire, kids.

[roach711]

My glasses have saved me from so much flying junk. Very happy that yours sacrificed themselves this time.

[PDBreske]

Originally Posted by roach711

My glasses have saved me from so much flying junk. Very happy that yours sacrificed themselves this time.

As a photographer who's building a bus for the express purpose of traveling for photos, I have to agree. The times when I was in the hospital and on the verge of depression, I would always remember: "At least I can still see." That thought got me through the tough days.

[gmarvel]

What a scary accident. i am pleased that the recovery is coming along. Propane is just too darn dangerous. That is why all cooking, heating, hot water,etc. on my bus is coming from electricity. Diesel generator under the bus or shore power. Crap happens and a gas cloud can be the result. I know all of us are pulling for your speedy and full recovery. Your guardian angel was there with you that day. It could have turned out soooo much worse. Keep your progress reports coming.

[aaronsb]

I am concerned about the backspacing you have from your burner to the rear wall, as well as the head room from the burner to under the cabinet. I can see in the photo with the metal backsplash that it's already been discolored by heat.

Googling some random website about minimum clearances (http://www.nachi.org/forum/f18/minimum-clearance-30109/) and from my own experience building kitchens, 30" of vertical clearance between range surface and ventilation hood is the minimum. I would hope that radiative heating from an open flame would never exceed 212 degrees F, but based on the coloration of your sheet metal, I imagine it might get hotter than that.

No criticism here, just observations. Please be safe.

Aaron

Originally Posted by PDBreske

New stove works fine (just don't fire it up when there is a cloud of propane in the air!)

[dond]

Originally Posted by roach711

My glasses have saved me from so much flying junk. Very happy that yours sacrificed themselves this time.

Everyone please wear eye protection!
I had a detached retina which leaves me with no real vision in my right eye. Even with safety GLASSES I took a hot fragment of metal in my lower eyelid on my left eye! VERY close call. I should have been wearing GOGGLES and do now.

Cover those eyes, cover those ears please.