Story Failed Helium attempt

[dominodux]

My first CTB attempt a year ago, due heavy depression state, miserably failed.

At that time i've got a Helium tank from ebay and a aerosol kit, i connected the tank via a transparent tube to the aerosol mask, using some silicon glue to fix the tube to the mask.

I was laying in bed and opened the can valve and start breathing the helium, i've got inconscious just after 30 seconds, i remember the sensation, was not umpleasant at all i remember i felt dizzy then i had a sort of wake attention for more 20 seconds, but felt unable to react... i didnt feel any nausea or pain, and then i become unconscious. That was almost midnight.

I woke up later at 5 am, with a horrible headache, i was totally confused and was unable to get out of the bed for more 3 hours till 8am.

In the morning i got finally out of bed, but legs was barely able to stand, still lot of confusion and a general feeling of tiredness. Also my vision was very poor, and the "proportions" of all the stuff around me was very distorted.. i dont know how to explain this well in english. In the next hours i started to recover, but it took me at least more 48 hours to be able to get out again in middle of people.

Today after one year i'm quite sure that i've got some permanent damage from that experience, my vision is very poor in night i barely see things around, in day is quite ok but i think my miopia increased a lot. Also i'm quite difficult in walking, due to easy loss of balance.. but it changes time by time, i'm quite sure that i've damaged myself in that trial and i still cant understand what went wrong, so i'm seeking for new at reliable way to ctb and i promised myself i wont try again till i find something reliable 100%.

I've seeking around for N, but i've seen that is very difficult and risky to get, also it can be altered by other chemicals or even expired, so i declined that choice.

I've read aroung about SN, but i'm not convinced also because who sell it, do no store it properly it can easy become Nitrate and lost his reliability.

In the end i'm am thinking about something very atipical, like buying and inflatable boat and going with it in the middle of sea, probably in night, so far that would be quite impossible to go back, expecially if i rip the boat and make it sink.. the feat being discovered by coast guard is always in my mind, but i would say that the image of someone finding me in the sea, swollen like a balloon just make me to desist.

So i am open to suggestion.

 

[Essence]

@dominodux I can't offer suggestions, but I wish you peace, and I hope you find a way to rest easy my friend

 

[bornsinner]

u failed your attempt because helium nowadays is mixed with 20% oxygen.

quick question, do u remember where u bought your aerosol mask?

 

[Neverod]

There's nothing like a 100% reliable, every method can fail and have it risks, like all you mentioned above.
So, you are asking for something that doesn't exists, you just have to go with something you like and/or see as "pleasurable" or comfortable for your needs, whose only you know... and do everything properly ofc. Sorry i can't help 'bout that.

 

[frees]

Do not use a mask unless you know what are you doing.

 

[dominodux]

u failed your attempt because helium nowadays is mixed with 20% oxygen.

quick question, do u remember where u bought your aerosol mask?

The aerosol mask is supplied with any aerosol kit sold everywhere but i wont use that system again.. and yes, infiltration of oxygen is exacly what i suspect happened, maybe from the tank, maybe from the mask and maybe both, that's why for my next trial, when i will feel again ready for that, will change definitively setup going to nitrogen instead of helium.

I'm actually around the idea of purchasing a scubadiving equipment with full face mask and leaving there in the wardrobe till i feel ready for it, and once ready i will do it closing the oxygen tank and leaving only the nitrogen to go.

 

[frees]

Do not use masks. Do not use masks.
There are major problems with such a setup. Use an exit bag and follow the instructions to the letter or pick a different method. Seriously.

 

[bornsinner]

The aerosol mask is supplied with any aerosol kit sold everywhere but i wont use that system again.. and yes, infiltration of oxygen is exacly what i suspect happened, maybe from the tank, maybe from the mask and maybe both, that's why for my next trial, when i will feel again ready for that, will change definitively setup going to nitrogen instead of helium.

I'm actually around the idea of purchasing a scubadiving equipment with full face mask and leaving there in the wardrobe till i feel ready for it, and once ready i will do it closing the oxygen tank and leaving only the nitrogen to go.

I tried a snorkel full mask this past weekend and it did not work for me it didn't even past out. I think u better off trying the aerosol mask again or the exit bag.
make sure u purchase a low pressure regulator instead of the high pressure regulator. if u are going with nitrogen.

quick question is the aerosol mask the same thing as an oxygen mask?

 

[Brick In The Wall]

u failed your attempt because helium nowadays is mixed with 20% oxygen.

This was originally a potential method of mine as well until they started intentionally diluting the tanks to 'save' people. Part of it is also probably due to the shortage of Helium, there's less then 100 years worth of it left on the planet. For these reasons this isn't really a viable method anymore.

To the OP I'm sorry you've suffered long term damage and side effects from your attempt. I can only imagine the circumstances you faced leading up to your attempt.

 

[frees]

make sure u purchase a low pressure regulator instead of the high pressure regulator.

You do not even know what kind of gas cylinder OP is using.

This was originally a potential method of mine as well until they started intentionally diluting the tanks to 'save' people. Part of it is also probably due to the shortage of Helium, there's less then 100 years worth of it left on the planet. For these reasons this isn't really a viable method anymore.

Pure Helium is widely available, you just have to buy undiluted gas. Diluted Helium for balloons is a niche market. And no, it will not run out, just getting a bit more expensive. Helium is inert and is not "used up". It returns to the atmosphere in most applications.

I think u better off trying the aerosol mask again

Please stop with bad advice.

...Today after one year i'm quite sure that i've got some permanent damage ... and i still cant understand what went wrong...

A normal medical mask will fail in most cases, with the risk of serious damage. With every breath you pull in a lot of outside air, so you are always breathing some oxygen, leading to prolonged hypoxia and possible brain damage.

 

[dominodux]

Do not use masks. Do not use masks.
There are major problems with such a setup. Use an exit bag and follow the instructions to the letter or pick a different method. Seriously.

What major problem with diving masks and why should not be used if the setup is well done?

 

[CrushedHopes]

I've read aroung about SN, but i'm not convinced also because who sell it, do no store it properly it can easy become Nitrate and lost his reliability.

I am not sure I comprehend what your concerns are here.

 

[dominodux]

I am not sure I comprehend what your concerns are here.

That must be sure it was properly produced and stored, and purchasing something by web cant be 100% sure of nothing, and a random negligence may lead to random failure, it is no 100% reliable for me, and as written in PPH it is 70% reliable and for me after a failure that already left me consequences, 70% is not enough.

 

[CrushedHopes]

That must be sure it was properly produced and stored, and purchasing something by web cant be 100% sure of nothing, and a random negligence may lead to random failure, it is no 100% reliable for me, and as written in PPH it is 70% reliable and for me after a failure that already left me consequences, 70% is not enough.

SN isn't N..... you're not likely to get scammed. And there are ways to increase its reliability; did you read Stan's guide? And even in the unlikely scenario that you somehow manage to survive after drinking the first SN glass, you'll definitely die with the second backup glass. It's your choice. Either way, I am just going to straight up tell you that there is no such thing as a 100% reliable CTB method.

 

[dominodux]

SN isn't N..... you're not likely to get scammed. And there are ways to increase its reliability; did you read Stan's guide? And even in the unlikely scenario that you somehow manage to survive after drinking the first SN glass, you'll definitely die with the second backup glass. It's your choice. Either way, I am just going to straight up tell you that there is no such thing as a 100% reliable CTB method.

Well i my research i've find out 100% reliable ways, but they are not peaceful not painless.

Anyway i will go with gas when ready, trying to figure out how to avoid leaks and possible failures.

 

[CrushedHopes]

Well i my research i've find out 100% reliable ways, but they are not peaceful not painless.

Anyway i will go with gas when ready, trying to figure out how to avoid lacks and possible failures.

That is an objectively wrong statement. There's always a chance that something could go wrong, however unlikely it may seem.

 

[dominodux]

That is an objectively wrong statement. There's always a chance that something could go wrong, however unlikely it may seem.

Well a rifle may jam and jumping from a plane you may land on a mattress texture, or a train may stop, so i would say 99% then, but is more than many methods.

 

[frees]

What major problem with diving masks and why should not be used if the setup is well done?

There are two ways people are thinking of in relation with scuba masks or similar equipment.

1. Using a mask or helmet and piping in inert gas:

Helmet or mask is initially filled with air. When piping in inert gas it takes some time (up to minutes) to lower the concentration of oxygen to near zero. Instead of breathing a near zero oxygen atmosphere from the start when using an exit bag properly (crunch technique, pull down) leading to sudden loss of consciousness, it takes up to a few minutes to lose consciousness while increasingly experiencing the syptoms of hypoxia (ataxia, confusion / disorientation / hallucinations / behavioral change, severe headaches / reduced level of consciousness, papilloedema, breathlessness,[8] pallor,[10] tachycardia, and pulmonary hypertension). -> panic -> abort
"I failed, i waited one minute, didnt loose consciousness and then panicked and pulled off the hood"

Masks or helmets are rigid and dont contract and expand with the breathing like a bag. Thus with every inhale and exhale air is pulled in and pushed out from the mask or helmet, pulling in oxygen, the concentration never approaches near zero. One never loses consciousness or regains it when the gas runs out. When inhaling, one pulls in air at a rate far in excess of, say, 15 liters per minute, far in excess what can be piped via those small tubes that come with medical oxygen masks. Those are built with vents that allow air to come in when inhaling, they are only meant for providing an increased oxygen supply, they cant provide 100% oxygen (or 100% inert gas...). To make a mask 100% gas tight by blocking the inlet vents and using tape around the mask (one-way valve to allow exhaling) restricts breathing and comes with a high risk of aborting due to discomfort.

There are "non-rebreather masks" that provide a reservoir bag that accommodate the volume sucked in when inhaling. However, those are never gas tight (read third paragraph of the linked wiki article) and are not recommended. We have reports of failure and problems with those.


2. Using a scuba or breathing apparatus by replacing the air cylinder with an inert gas tank

Scuba or fireman gear has one regulator at the gas cylinder connected via hose with the second regulator at the mouth piece. Either they have a full face mask or just the mouthpiece. The nose has to be blocked either way, one breathes only through the mouth while biting on the rubber thingy. How this is more comforting than a proper exit bag is beyond me. If one is not accustomed to breathing with such equipment chances for abort are probably high. People are looking for alternatives to the bag without making one and trying it out.

In most cases scuba regulators need an adapter to fit inert gas cylinders. Or using a pressure regulator thats fits the inert gas tank and can supply the proper pressure and flow rate, and connect it to the mouthpiece and second stage regulator.

I can imagine that of ripping the mask of is rather high when being half-conscious.

 

[dominodux]

There are two ways people are thinking of in relation with scuba masks or similar equipment.

1. Using a mask or helmet and piping in inert gas:

Helmet or mask is initially filled with air. When piping in inert gas it takes some time (up to minutes) to lower the concentration of oxygen to near zero. Instead of breathing a near zero oxygen atmosphere from the start when using an exit bag properly (crunch technique, pull down) leading to sudden loss of consciousness, it takes up to a few minutes to lose consciousness while increasingly experiencing the syptoms of hypoxia (ataxia, confusion / disorientation / hallucinations / behavioral change, severe headaches / reduced level of consciousness, papilloedema, breathlessness,[8] pallor,[10] tachycardia, and pulmonary hypertension). -> panic -> abort
"I failed, i waited one minute, didnt loose consciousness and then panicked and pulled off the hood"

Masks or helmets are rigid and dont contract and expand with the breathing like a bag. Thus with every inhale and exhale air is pulled in and pushed out from the mask or helmet, pulling in oxygen, the concentration never approaches near zero. One never loses consciousness or regains it when the gas runs out. When inhaling, one pulls in air at a rate far in excess of, say, 15 liters per minute, far in excess what can be piped via those small tubes that come with medical oxygen masks. Those are built with vents that allow air to come in when inhaling, they are only meant for providing an increased oxygen supply, they cant provide 100% oxygen (or 100% inert gas...). To make a mask 100% gas tight by blocking the inlet vents and using tape around the mask (one-way valve to allow exhaling) restricts breathing and comes with a high risk of aborting due to discomfort.

There are "non-rebreather masks" that provide a reservoir bag that accommodate the volume sucked in when inhaling. However, those are never gas tight (read third paragraph of the linked wiki article) and are not recommended. We have reports of failure and problems with those.


2. Using a scuba or breathing apparatus by replacing the air cylinder with an inert gas tank

Scuba or fireman gear has one regulator at the gas cylinder connected via hose with the second regulator at the mouth piece. Either they have a full face mask or just the mouthpiece. The nose has to be blocked either way, one breathes only through the mouth while biting on the rubber thingy. How this is more comforting than a proper exit bag is beyond me. If one is not accustomed to breathing with such equipment chances for abort are probably high. People are looking for alternatives to the bag without making one and trying it out.

In most cases scuba regulators need an adapter to fit inert gas cylinders. Or using a pressure regulator thats fits the inert gas tank and can supply the proper pressure and flow rate, and connect it to the mouthpiece and second stage regulator.

I can imagine that of ripping the mask of is rather high when being half-conscious.

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation, that was exacly i was looking for, the example 1. explain exacly why i failed, the example 2. explain how i am actually planning to make it work, with proper fullface mask and flux regulators to make it work efficiently.

I have a few of euro apart, i will afford and care to get proper professional equipment this time-

I'm sure the exit bag will work fine i just prefer people to not find me with a bag in head, i prefer to be found with a breathing mask, it is a personal choice.

Thank you again.

 

[zeroambition]

I'm going with argon gas because it's easy to buy from a welding supply store.

 

[kidd]

Failed with helium for my first attempt. It's very unsettling to fail with recommended methods that you've put all your hope in, I'm sorry you had to experience that too. I also wonder what went wrong. The helium was supposed to be an acceptable purity, I did everything by the book. When I woke up the bag was no longer over the head, had vomited, petechiae? on face. Our symptoms correspond with low oxygen level but apparently it wasn't enough. All that talk of the hypercapnic alarm response not supposed to activate, I'm unsure. I wonder if it is better to take a sleeping pill before to sedate your body more or if that would just make you fall asleep before you got it on right. Haven't heard of success with masks, and don't think I'd trust instructions that lack the presence of a regulator.

 

[SawItOnce]

there is no such thing as a 100% reliable CTB method.

...that we know of