Method NEW THEORETICAL METHOD with helium. Cheap, PAINLESS.

[Sophie123]

I have been thinking about the traditional helium tube method. Unfortunately, now that comes with 20% oxygen to prevent deaths. However, the helium in balloons is close to pure. A standard party helium balloon is almost pure since they need to sustain for a long time in the shop.

Under 6% o2 conc, consciousness should be lost rapidly. I have tried suffocating in a plastic bag normally, and CO2 panic doesn't kick in for about 30 seconds.

My math is a little over 7%, but assuming the space that is lost when you tie the bag , it should even out. You can also add extra objects in the bag to lower the air volume.

I have attached the calculation. Lemme know what y'all think.

Materials:
40-Liter Garbage Liner:
2 standard 12-Liter helium balloons
Scissors
Elastic rubber band

Procedure:
Put both helium balloons in the bag
Put scissors in bag
Secure bag around head with tight elastic
Quickly cut open both helium balloons
Take slow, deep breaths

EDIT: Want feedback from anyone on whether this would work, steps to make sure it does, etc. Chat GPT says it will but erm I don't trust that too much LOL.

 

[Tommen Baratheon]

I have been thinking about the traditional helium tube method. Unfortunately, now that comes with 20% oxygen to prevent deaths. However, the helium in balloons is close to pure. A standard party helium balloon is almost pure since they need to sustain for a long time in the shop.

Let me wake you up right here: it's actually reversed: helium for balloons is often mixed with 20% oxygen... in the US. The balloons still float, but not as long as they used to.

Professional helium (for welders) should (!) be 99,99%. In my country they come with certain (security) papers that are used for transport as well, so I trust them. However, I can't guarantee it's the same in other countries.

 

[Sophie123]

Let me wake you up right here: it's actually reversed: helium for balloons is often mixed with 20% oxygen... in the US. The balloons still float, but not as long as they used to.

Professional helium (for welders) should (!) be 99,99%. In my country they come with certain (security) papers that are used for transport as well, so I trust them. However, I can't guarantee it's the same in other countries.

Sorry, I think you got it mixed up. Its true that industrial tanks are 99.99% ish , but the party balloon tanks ppl used to use are 80% helium because of past asphyxiation cases.

 

[Tommen Baratheon]

Sorry, I think you got it mixed up. Its true that industrial tanks are 99.99% ish , but the party balloon tanks ppl used to use are 80% helium because of past asphyxiation cases.

View attachment 154601

Well, then maybe you should inform Boudewijn Chabot who warns about this in his book 'Uitweg' (Dignified Dying) that he is wrong. Because he warns specifically about the 20% oxygen in balloon helium in the US.

I bought balloon helium from Amzn. The site states 99%, but this is nowhere to be seen on the tank itself. I filled a balloon and it didn't last 2 days.

I'd say it depends on the country, but I wouldn't trust balloon helium at all. You can believe what you want.

 

[Tommen Baratheon]

Sorry, I think you got it mixed up. Its true that industrial tanks are 99.99% ish , but the party balloon tanks ppl used to use are 80% helium because of past asphyxiation cases.

View attachment 154601

Chabot specifically warns about Worthington Inc. in the US. If you go to their site and search for balloon/helium you'll end up here:


I've reread the OP again and I see I was too quick to react (English is not my native tongue). Do I understand correctly? You want to use the helium that is used in party balloons (which are 20% oxygen) ? Isn't it easier to use nitrogen?

 

[GlassMoon]

If in doubt about the oxygen in the helium, could you test it beforehand using the glowing splint test or, more simply, a candle? If the candle keeps burning, it would at least be a sign that there is sufficient oxygen inside.

 

[Sophie123]

Chabot specifically warns about Worthington Inc. in the US. If you go to their site and search for balloon/helium you'll end up here:

View attachment 154640
I've reread the OP again and I see I was too quick to react (English is not my native tongue). Do I understand correctly? You want to use the helium that is used in party balloons (which are 20% oxygen) ? Isn't it easier to use nitrogen?

It would be but you need like paperwork to buy the nitrogen I think. Also if you live at home its hard to explain.

Ohhh, I see what you are saying. You are right, balloon helium, which is found it tanks for ppl to fill up balloons with is 80%. cuz ppl started using the party tanks for ctb.
But when you buy a helium balloon that is already filled up, is pure. Because the balloon companies need the balloon to last a long time in the store right? And even if you buy it it lasts for weeks/days. So I am saying use a pre-filled balloon instead.

Sorry if I misunderstood anything! From what I am reading I think we both agree those helium party tanks will not work.

If in doubt about the oxygen in the helium, could you test it beforehand using the glowing splint test or, more simply, a candle? If the candle keeps burning, it would at least be a sign that there is sufficient oxygen inside.

Ohh you mean like set the foil of the balloon on fire? Wouldn't it burn anyway because there is oxygen outside the balloon as well? What's the glowing splint test?

 

[Tommen Baratheon]

If in doubt about the oxygen in the helium, could you test it beforehand using the glowing splint test or, more simply, a candle? If the candle keeps burning, it would at least be a sign that there is sufficient oxygen inside.

I've read on this forum you could use an oxygen meter. For instance: fill a transparent bag with the helium and check the meter.

Another method: fill your exit bag, pull it over your head, close the valve, breathe in. If it takes longer than 3 minutes to pass out the helium's no good. Of course, this isn't a very precise method and not advised.

 

[GlassMoon]

Ohh you mean like set the foil of the balloon on fire? Wouldn't it burn anyway because there is oxygen outside the balloon as well? What's the glowing splint test?

It's a test where you put something that burns into a gas to check whether there's oxygen inside:



You would have to transfer the gas from the balloon into a container and make sure there is only the gas from the balloon inside. That might be tricky to do as well...

If you buy the Helium balloons in a shop, you could take a look at the gas bottle they are using. You could say that you're buying these balloons for friend who's a chemist, and who always brags about the purity of his gases, and that you'd like to be able to brag about the balloons, at least a bit.

Also, take note of the pressure of the helium inside the balloons. Depending on the type of balloon, the pressure might be slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, because it also has to work against the balloon's foil. That would work in your favor, but it is probably very slightly above atmospheric pressure:

Pressure inside a party balloon

 

[GlassMoon]

EDIT: Want feedback from anyone on whether this would work, steps to make sure it does, etc. Chat GPT says it will but erm I don't trust that too much LOL.

What exactly did you ask? I thought it should reject such questions...

 

[Sophie123]

What exactly did you ask? I thought it should reject such questions...

Lol good question I used loopholes like saying potential chemistry forensic scenario, or help me with an unfortunate case, or theoretical only, or things like that.

It's a test where you put something that burns into a gas to check whether there's oxygen inside:



You would have to transfer the gas from the balloon into a container and make sure there is only the gas from the balloon inside. That might be tricky to do as well...

If you buy the Helium balloons in a shop, you could take a look at the gas bottle they are using. You could say that you're buying these balloons for friend who's a chemist, and who always brags about the purity of his gases, and that you'd like to be able to brag about the balloons, at least a bit.

Also, take note of the pressure of the helium inside the balloons. Depending on the type of balloon, the pressure might be slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, because it also has to work against the balloon's foil. That would work in your favor, but it is probably very slightly above atmospheric pressure:

Pressure inside a party balloon

I will def try that. But if the balloon is nearly pure do you think it would work? I have tried this method but with a ziplock bag full of CO2 instead of helium and it almost worked but it is a few seconds of intense pain and panic.