Finalized my helium setup. what are your thoughts on this?

[Skal]

Here's my helium setup. You might be wondering wtf is going on in this picture so to put it short, I want to CTB by inhaling helium while asleep without fear or discomfort.

So it basically consists of air pump motors and a solenoid valve, controlled by timer plugs to flow air and helium with a time delay. First, the air pumps deliver air for one hour. After that, the air stops, and helium starts until the tank is empty (to ensure a smooth transition between air and helium, both gases flow simultaneously for 5 seconds). I'll fall asleep within an hour and breath helium while asleep. This way I can CTB without suffering or fear.











*The helium tank I'll use is guaranteed to be at least 95% pure (nitrogen tanks aren't common where I live).
*The gas mask I'll use is very airtight; blocking the air inlet completely prevents breathing, so I believe it's reliable.

I haven't done a full test yet, so I don't know if it will work properly. What do you think about this setup? Please let me know if you have any advice. Thank you.

 

[devils~advocate]

Well thought out from an engineering perspective.
The air pump motors (3 qty) are for pushing normal air to the mask? How did you determine that 3 were needed? 1 or 2 would not get the needed air flow to the mask?
So the fans turn off based on a timer switch....then another timer switch opens a valve to allow the inert gas to flow.

What kind of mask is that? Just a regular respirator, i.e. the kind used for spray painting or other similar uses?
Being asleep while all this happening may introduce issues that might be a failure point.....Some have suggested restraints of arms and legs.

I am curious, can you list the parts, models etc...

 

[LettinGooo]

Not going to comment on the technical aspects of your setup but my He attempt failed because I started physically jerking so violently I fell out of a computer chair and ripped the tubes from the exit bag out of the He cannisters. Have you taken any consideration to firmly anchoring your setup to something and making sure the tubes have enough slack if they get pulled on.

 

[Skal]

The air pump motors (3 qty) are for pushing normal air to the mask? How did you determine that 3 were needed? 1 or 2 would not get the needed air flow to the mask?
So the fans turn off based on a timer switch....then another timer switch opens a valve to allow the inert gas to flow.

Yes, the air pushed by the motors goes to the mask. I tried using only one motor at first, but the airflow was too low for me to breathe comfortably. So I added two more motors, which provide enough airflow for comfortable breathing (haven't tried using just two though).
I've also considered using a regular air tank instead of motors, but for whatever reasons they are much more expensive where I live, so I decided to use motors.

What kind of mask is that? Just a regular respirator, i.e. the kind used for spray painting or other similar uses?
I am curious, can you list the parts, models etc...

You can check this website for the mask's intended use. It's written in Japanese so run it through ChatGPT or Gemini
Also here's the list of the parts:

Amazon.co.jp: エアポンプ DC12V 真空ポンプ ダイヤフラムポンプ 自吸式 空気吸引ポンプ 15L/min 小型 電化製品に適合 エアコンプレッサー ダイアフラム 電気真空吸引 真空ポンプ 実験室 固有のポンプ : 産業・研究開発用品

Amazon.co.jp: エアポンプ DC12V 真空ポンプ ダイヤフラムポンプ 自吸式 空気吸引ポンプ 15L/min 小型 電化製品に適合 エアコンプレッサー ダイアフラム 電気真空吸引 真空ポンプ 実験室 固有のポンプ : 産業・研究開発用品

www.amazon.co.jp

https://www.monotaro.com/p/0209/7304

https://www.monotaro.com/p/6844/3444

https://www.monotaro.com/g/01004310/

YOU+風船用ヘリウムガス | YOU＋（ユープラス株式会社）

YOU+では35ℓ、200ℓ、400ℓの風船用ヘリウムガスを販売しております。法律に基づき質の高い工場と提携して製造している安全性の高いヘリウムガスです（濃度検査も複数回実施済み）初めての方でも安心してお使いいただけるようヘリウムガスの入れ方の動画や長持ちのポイントなどもご説明しております。

www.yplus.co.jp

Being asleep while all this happening may introduce issues that might be a failure point.....Some have suggested restraints of arms and legs.

That's very worrisome indeed. I think I'll look into buying belts or something to restrain my body. Thank you for reminding me.

Not going to comment on the technical aspects of your setup but my He attempt failed because I started physically jerking so violently I fell out of a computer chair and ripped the tubes from the exit bag out of the He cannisters. Have you taken any consideration to firmly anchoring your setup to something and making sure the tubes have enough slack if they get pulled on.

Really sorry to hear that. I haven't seriously considered anchoring my body and setup until now, but your story made me realize I really should look into it. Much appreciate for your input.

I guess something like this would suffice?

 

[ipmanwc0]

It seems fine, make sure that the helium is indeed pure enough because I think even a small percent of oxygen can ruin it. Make sure to do a test run on the parts one by one to make sure they function properly

 

[devils~advocate]

I guess something like this would suffice?
View attachment 196436

Thank you for listing out the parts and your process.
The mask is one that is used for standard respirator applications. This is a good idea since it is a common attainable item, affordable and not specialized.

If you can, please post a photo of the hose(s) connected to the mask. I am curious of the connection.

Yes, those are the type of restraints that some have suggested. Involuntary muscle movement are a concern for some.

 

[Skal]

It seems fine, make sure that the helium is indeed pure enough because I think even a small percent of oxygen can ruin it. Make sure to do a test run on the parts one by one to make sure they function properly

I got it. I'll double-check everything carefully.

Thank you for listing out the parts and your process.
The mask is one that is used for standard respirator applications. This is a good idea since it is a common attainable item, affordable and not specialized.

If you can, please post a photo of the hose(s) connected to the mask. I am curious of the connection.

Yes, those are the type of restraints that some have suggested. Involuntary muscle movement are a concern for some.

Yes, here are photos of the mask and hose.
The two black circular parts are a dust filter housing (the filter itself has been removed since it's not needed here) and a fit checker. A fit checker is normally used to check the seal of the mask, but I noticed that the hole in it happens to fit a standard 6 mm OD oxygen tube perfectly. So I repurposed the fit checker as an adapter to connect the tube to the mask. Right now the fit checker, the tube, and the filter housing are all glued together so there are no gaps.

https://www.monotaro.com/p/3316/5273/

https://www.monotaro.com/p/3708/4311/

 

[devils~advocate]

I got it. I'll double-check everything carefully.


Yes, here are photos of the mask and hose.
The two black circular parts are a dust filter housing (the filter itself has been removed since it's not needed here) and a fit checker. A fit checker is normally used to check the seal of the mask, but I noticed that the hole in it happens to fit a standard 6 mm OD oxygen tube perfectly. So I repurposed the fit checker as an adapter to connect the tube to the mask. Right now the fit checker, the tube, and the filter housing are all glued together so there are no gaps.

https://www.monotaro.com/p/3316/5273/

https://www.monotaro.com/p/3708/4311/

Thank you for the photos and product information. Very ingenious.

This type of respirator mask with single source port appears to be a Japan only product.
Most if not all, half-face respirators in the USA and other places are dual ports on the side of the mask.

To others reading this and wondering, there is a way to gas feed dual port types of masks with an adapter for spray painting.

 

[wishingiwasok]

Yes, the air pushed by the motors goes to the mask. I tried using only one motor at first, but the airflow was too low for me to breathe comfortably. So I added two more motors, which provide enough airflow for comfortable breathing (haven't tried using just two though).
I've also considered using a regular air tank instead of motors, but for whatever reasons they are much more expensive where I live, so I decided to use motors.



You can check this website for the mask's intended use. It's written in Japanese so run it through ChatGPT or Gemini
Also here's the list of the parts:

Amazon.co.jp: エアポンプ DC12V 真空ポンプ ダイヤフラムポンプ 自吸式 空気吸引ポンプ 15L/min 小型 電化製品に適合 エアコンプレッサー ダイアフラム 電気真空吸引 真空ポンプ 実験室 固有のポンプ : 産業・研究開発用品

Amazon.co.jp: エアポンプ DC12V 真空ポンプ ダイヤフラムポンプ 自吸式 空気吸引ポンプ 15L/min 小型 電化製品に適合 エアコンプレッサー ダイアフラム 電気真空吸引 真空ポンプ 実験室 固有のポンプ : 産業・研究開発用品

www.amazon.co.jp

https://www.monotaro.com/p/0209/7304

https://www.monotaro.com/p/6844/3444

https://www.monotaro.com/g/01004310/

YOU+風船用ヘリウムガス | YOU＋（ユープラス株式会社）

YOU+では35ℓ、200ℓ、400ℓの風船用ヘリウムガスを販売しております。法律に基づき質の高い工場と提携して製造している安全性の高いヘリウムガスです（濃度検査も複数回実施済み）初めての方でも安心してお使いいただけるようヘリウムガスの入れ方の動画や長持ちのポイントなどもご説明しております。

www.yplus.co.jp

That's very worrisome indeed. I think I'll look into buying belts or something to restrain my body. Thank you for reminding me.


Really sorry to hear that. I haven't seriously considered anchoring my body and setup until now, but your story made me realize I really should look into it. Much appreciate for your input.

I guess something like this would suffice?
View attachment 196436

You'd want to make sure your arms couldn't reach your face, because even asleep people can try to pull things off the face and you wouldn't want to pull the mask off unintentionally

 

[Skal]

You'd want to make sure your arms couldn't reach your face, because even asleep people can try to pull things off the face and you wouldn't want to pull the mask off unintentionally

That makes sense. I actually sleep with earmuffs on most nights, and when I wake up in the morning I often find that I've taken them off in my sleep. I have absolutely no memory of doing it.