Single use disposable elapsed time indicator with absorbable material

A single use disposable elapsed time indicator comprising:

• a flexible chamber for holding an aqueous medium;
• a slot having a first end and second end opposing the first end and with a viewing window and a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the slot is connected to the chamber via a passage having a breakable seal therein;
• an absorbable material located within and at confined to the first end of the slot that swells upon exposure to the aqueous medium;
• and
• a graded scale along the longitudinal axis of the slot to indicate periods of elapsed time;
• wherein the absorbable material is configured to expand from the first end of the slot toward a previously empty second end of the slot along the longitudinal axis of the slot at a predetermined rate and thereby mark elapsed time on the graded scale.