Post RCFM: Monday in Huntsville

[vakkotaur]

Monday there were some helium balloons left and since I'd never tried talking with helium, I went to the trouble of untying one. There was some change in voice, but I caught myself trying to talking in a higher pitch. I wonder how much is the helium and how much of the effect is from "helping" the helium along. After that, KT, JJ, Chaka, and I

Comments

[altivo]

Helium really does have the reputed effect, I assure you. There are provisos, however. One is that you need to really get a good lung full of it. If it is mixed with ordinary air, the effect is greatly reduced. Another is that balloons that have been filled hours earlier (sounds like 24 hours or more in the case you describe) will no longer have "pure" helium. Helium is nearly as good at slipping through membranes as hydrogen is. It gradually escapes right through the walls of the balloon, leaving only the "impurities" (mainly nitrogen I think) that were mixed with it in the tank. ;)

[vakkotaur]

The second part could explain it. It was at least 12 hours and it was plain that the balloon were not quite fully filled. I did make a point of deep breathing to have plenty of oxygen before I inhaled from the balloon with fairly empty lungs. Perhaps sometime I'll have a chance with "fresher" helium.

[nefaria]

Be careful not to overdose on the helium. It's harmless and inert, but there's no oxygen in it. If you take every other breath from a helium balloon, you're only getting half as much oxygen as you need, which can cause dizziness and fainting.

[vakkotaur]

That's why I was deep breathing before trying the helium, to get my oxygen levels up a bit. I was also taking several breaths of air between each try of the helium.

[kinkyturtle]

Heh, in the lobby, one guy asked me who was in the Chaka suit. I said, "Guess!" But he had no idea.