Do not eat the glue.

The Captain's shortest doctrine

Glue the boat. Feed the builder. Do not reverse the order.

Some familiar school and household glues have relatively low toxicity, but that does not make them food. Products vary widely. Industrial adhesives, epoxies, resin hardeners, rubber cements, solvents, and their fumes can be far more hazardous. The label and safety data for the exact product matter.

What can go wrong?

Swallowing adhesive may cause irritation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or—in a large exposure—gastrointestinal blockage. Certain ingredients in stronger products can injure the nervous system, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, or digestive tract. Intentional inhalation of glue fumes can cause dizziness, confusion, seizures, breathing failure, coma, or death.

There is no boat-building advantage to tasting the adhesive. The laminate will not recognize the sacrifice.

Build like a professional

• Read and follow the product label before opening the container.
• Use adhesives only in the ventilation and protective equipment specified by the manufacturer.
• Keep glue in its original labeled container—never in food or drink containers.
• Keep adhesives away from children, food, beverages, and the Captain's emergency sandwich.
• Wash hands before eating, drinking, or touching your face.
• Never intentionally inhale adhesive fumes.
• Use only materials permitted by the event's race rules.

If an exposure happens

Move away from fumes to fresh air when it is safe to do so. For swallowing, skin, or eye exposure, use the product label's first-aid instructions and contact Poison Help for case-specific advice. Do not improvise a remedy and do not induce vomiting unless directed.

Have the person's age and condition, product name and ingredients, time of exposure, and estimated amount ready. Bring the container or label to the phone—but not to the dinner table.