Welcome to the Activation Guide! Your success with Cryoguard™ indicators begins with the activation process. We are here to assist you. Read the following directions for useful advice on activating and using the indicators. We recommend using protective eye wear and insulating gloves at all times when handling the indicators especially when they are frozen. If you have any further questions, please contact us.
Preparing the Indicator
Use insulated gloves to handle frozen indicators. This prevents burns to your hand and minimizes thermal exposure of the indicator from the heat exchange of your hands to the indicator.
Depressing the Pin
To activate the frozen indicator, the pin must be pushed into the indicator until it is flush with the body. Choose from three methods of depressing the pin. We recommend using Method 1 to activate the indicator.
Method 1: Place the indicator in the activation tool. Press the indicator pin into the frozen indicator using steady but gentle, constant pressure, after waiting the appropriate time, using our activation tool (required for M-135 and M-150 indicators). This method provides a convenient and rapid way of activating the indicator while preventing thermal exposure. If an activation tool is not available, then Method 2 or Method 3 can be used for all indicators except the M-135 and M-150. See Table 1 at the bottom of this page for freezing and thawing times.
For more information on how to activate an indicator on and off a freezer cane, please see the following link:
Method 2: Place the indicator in channel lock pliers so the indicator is on the outer edge of the pliers and will be pushed in straight. Press the indicator pin into the frozen indicator using steady but gentle, constant pressure, after waiting the appropriate time. This method provides a convenient and rapid way of activating the indicator while preventing thermal exposure. See Table 1 at the bottom of this page for freezing and thawing times.
Method 3: 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. This method requires no tools but can easily produce a premature color change in the indicator. Do not use a hammer or a high impact device to drive the pin into the frozen indicator. This may damage the indicator and cause it not to be activated even though the pin is pressed flush with the body of the indicator, or damage the pin. See Table 1 at the bottom of this page for freezing and thawing times.
Handling the Activated Indicator
Table 1: Freezing and Thawing Times Pre- and Post- Indicator Activation
Indicator Model |
Freezing Temp. (°C) |
Minimum Freezing Time (min) |
Thawing Time (s) |
Re-Freezing Temp. (°C) |
Minimum Re-Freezing Time (min) |
M-40 | -78 (dry ice) | 60 | 5-15 | -78 (dry ice) | 60 |
M-40 | -65 | 60 | 0-10 | -65 | 60 |
M-40 | -196 (LN2) | 5 | 50-60 | -196 (LN2) | 5 |
M-70 | -95 | 60 | 0-10 | -95 | 60 |
M-70 | -196 (LN2) | 5 | 40-50 | -196 (LN2) | 5 |
M-100 | -125 | 60 | 0-10 | -125 | 60 |
M-100 | -196 (LN2) | 5 | 30-40 | -196 (LN2) | 5 |
M-120 | -196 (LN2) | 5 | 30-40 | -196 (LN2) | 5 |
M-135 | -196 (LN2) | 10 | 15-25 | -196 (LN2) | 10 |
M-150 | -196 (LN2) | 10 | 5-15 | -196 (LN2) | 10 |