Help Helium Tank Question

[usernameNotFound]

Bought this balloon helium tank from Walmart with the intent of CTB using the exit bag method (you put a bag over your head, fill the bag with helium, you start to breathe in helium instead of oxygen, should die within 10-40 mins). The tank cost $50 CAD. The company claims it's 100% helium.
From what I've read online people are saying that all helium tanks bought from normal stores are actually a mixture of air/helium. So I have a couple questions:
1. If the tank says its 100% helium, do you think there's any reason to distrust it?
2. If a person tries to use the exit bag method with an air/helium mixture, will it cause unintended long-term health effects?

Wondering if I should return the tank or if it's worth keeping. Thanks!

 

[Quax]

These balloon gas tanks are usually a mixture of 20% O2 and 80%He. So it won't kill you and there will no further damages to your health... so it is pretty much useless for CTB.....

 

[summers]

Bought this balloon helium tank from Walmart with the intent of CTB using the exit bag method (you put a bag over your head, fill the bag with helium, you start to breathe in helium instead of oxygen, should die within 10-40 mins). The tank cost $50 CAD. The company claims it's 100% helium.
From what I've read online people are saying that all helium tanks bought from normal stores are actually a mixture of air/helium. So I have a couple questions:
1. If the tank says its 100% helium, do you think there's any reason to distrust it?
2. If a person tries to use the exit bag method with an air/helium mixture, will it cause unintended long-term health effects?

Wondering if I should return the tank or if it's worth keeping. Thanks!

1. Yes, I have used the real helium tanks rented from party supply companies. They are around 2000psi, would cost hundreds to buy between the tank and regulator.
2. Yes, you are depriving your brain of oxygen. That will cause permanent damage.

This is not an endorsement for you to ctb, but if that's your choice, you may want to look into a welding supply store, and a tank of nitrogen or argon.

 

[yetme]

Bought this balloon helium tank from Walmart with the intent of CTB using the exit bag method (you put a bag over your head, fill the bag with helium, you start to breathe in helium instead of oxygen, should die within 10-40 mins). The tank cost $50 CAD. The company claims it's 100% helium.
From what I've read online people are saying that all helium tanks bought from normal stores are actually a mixture of air/helium. So I have a couple questions:
1. If the tank says its 100% helium, do you think there's any reason to distrust it?
2. If a person tries to use the exit bag method with an air/helium mixture, will it cause unintended long-term health effects?

Wondering if I should return the tank or if it's worth keeping. Thanks!

There was a thread about testing diving mask setup, but I think you can test it with a baloon or a plastic bag.
Feel up the baloon with helium, close the tank, sit on a bed or something you'll not gonna fall from. Breath out air from your lungs completely, then start breathing helium from the baloon. If you loose consciousness, then the helium in the tank is pure enough. As soon as you loose consciousness your hand holding the baloon will drop and you will regain consciousness in a minute.

 

[summers]

There was a thread about testing diving mask setup, but I think you can test it with a baloon or a plastic bag.
Feel up the baloon with helium, close the tank, sit on a bed or something you'll not gonna fall from. Breath out air from your lungs completely, then start breathing helium from the baloon. If you loose consciousness, then the helium in the tank is pure enough. As soon as you loose consciousness your hand holding the baloon will drop and you will regain consciousness in a minute.

I have done this. Never even got lightheaded after nearly depleting the entire balloon.

 

[yetme]

I have done this. Never even got lightheaded after nearly depleting the entire balloon.

ok then I guess it's not pure enough.

 

[heliumornitrogen]

I´m unclear whether there will be long term negative health effects, although I don´t think this is the case, but the mixed helium cylinder will not work.

I had the same dilemma and have decided to go with nitrogen. This method also requires a regulator.

Just be really careful and make sure you do your research.

 

[summers]

ok then I guess it's not pure enough.

On the plus side, when I spoke, it sounded hilarious :)

 

[Lil]

I tried this method a few years ago. I lost consciousness within a second, but then I tore the bag without being aware of it and survived. I may have made another mistake, but I think you should still be aware of the possibility of tearing the bag while you are unconscious.

 

[Matthias_k]

1. If the tank says its 100% helium, do you think there's any reason to distrust it?

No, it's not 100% helium, that's just playing with words. Their helium is rated 99% pure, but in reality the tank is 20% O2 and 80% HE

 

[Greenberg]

Bought this balloon helium tank from Walmart with the intent of CTB using the exit bag method (you put a bag over your head, fill the bag with helium, you start to breathe in helium instead of oxygen, should die within 10-40 mins). The tank cost $50 CAD. The company claims it's 100% helium.
From what I've read online people are saying that all helium tanks bought from normal stores are actually a mixture of air/helium. So I have a couple questions:
1. If the tank says its 100% helium, do you think there's any reason to distrust it?
2. If a person tries to use the exit bag method with an air/helium mixture, will it cause unintended long-term health effects?

Wondering if I should return the tank or if it's worth keeping. Thanks!

It is true there is 100% pure Helium within the tank, but what it does not say is what matters. All retail helium includes 20% oxygen so that people will not be able to CBT with the purchased gas.

Unless you are planning to blow up a lot balloons for an upcoming party, you may wish to consider returning your purchase.

 

[Nyxtus]

Listen to Greenbergs advice (and notice that little website under his name). He has fantastic resources available that will tell you everything you need to know.

Also search for diving, mask, etc in the searchbar. There's a fantastic thread with a lot of information there as well.

Nitrogen is the answer not helium.

 

[Quax]

for the exit bag it's much better to use Nitrogen.... easier to get, pure and as efficient as pure Helium.... but you will need a regulator...

 

[DonTellMeToStayAlive]

for the exit bag it's much better to use Nitrogen.... easier to get, pure and as efficient as pure Helium.... but you will need a regulator...

where could we get 100% nitrogen, without any air in it ? Or is there a way to manufacture it at home

 

[Into The Void]

Bought this balloon helium tank from Walmart with the intent of CTB using the exit bag method (you put a bag over your head, fill the bag with helium, you start to breathe in helium instead of oxygen, should die within 10-40 mins). The tank cost $50 CAD. The company claims it's 100% helium.
From what I've read online people are saying that all helium tanks bought from normal stores are actually a mixture of air/helium. So I have a couple questions:
1. If the tank says its 100% helium, do you think there's any reason to distrust it?
2. If a person tries to use the exit bag method with an air/helium mixture, will it cause unintended long-term health effects?

Wondering if I should return the tank or if it's worth keeping. Thanks!

Personally I wouldn't trust it. I read a long time ago that balloon time started diluting their tanks. I actually brought some balloon time helium tanks years ago before they started diluting them. Never used them to CTB, but eventually got rid of them because they were taking up too much space. That and I got other methods that didn't take up as much space. But before I got rid of them, I pushed the limits and did a test run. I got a bit disoriented, kind of drunk feeling and quit before passing out. I did get curious recently and called a local air gas supply store and they said they would sell a 40 cu tank for 341 I think it was. They asked what I was using it for and I said a big party. LOL

 

[Mare Imbrium]

You cannot trust the specification "100 % Helium" of a balloon tank. When you use it, it is possible to survive with brain damage. Such a case was already here in the forum.
Helium from balloon tanks is often so weak, that there are many complaints from customers, that balloons do not fly properly.

 

[NormaJeane]

Bought this balloon helium tank from Walmart with the intent of CTB using the exit bag method (you put a bag over your head, fill the bag with helium, you start to breathe in helium instead of oxygen, should die within 10-40 mins). The tank cost $50 CAD. The company claims it's 100% helium.
From what I've read online people are saying that all helium tanks bought from normal stores are actually a mixture of air/helium. So I have a couple questions:
1. If the tank says its 100% helium, do you think there's any reason to distrust it?
2. If a person tries to use the exit bag method with an air/helium mixture, will it cause unintended long-term health effects?

Wondering if I should return the tank or if it's worth keeping. Thanks!

It is better to use nitrogen gas and an Exit bag. You can test the nitrogen gas with a CY-12C oxygen analysator, so there is no air in it.

 

[lofticries]

You cannot trust the specification "100 % Helium" of a balloon tank. When you use it, it is possible to survive with brain damage. Such a case was already here in the forum.

What?

 

[Mare Imbrium]

What?

It was user Lion84

 

[lofticries]

It was user Lion84

Was he/she using helium as an attempt to ctb before they died of sn (found their goodbye thread)?

edit:nvm I found their posts about it.