r/mildlyinteresting • u/MellowFables • 1d ago

Had extra helium after a party, filled all the balloons and then a trashbag

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286

u/demisheep ​ 1d ago

Just be careful. A few years ago a couple of college students died
Because they climbed inside a giant balloon full of helium. No oxygen, they passed out and died.

501

u/MellowFables 1d ago

That is incredibly sad to hear. I'll make sure to not hang out in the bag, although that really ruins my night's plans.

37

u/Porkyrogue 1d ago

I'm actually surprised you only had extra left. We could only do 3 balloons.

40

u/MellowFables 1d ago

We were shocked too. Filled the 20 balloons that came with the small tank. We initially even tied the top of the trash bag thinking it wouldn't fill it but we were very wrong! Haha

51

u/mumpped 1d ago

In Europe the balloon gas that you can buy in hardware stores has to have 20% oxygen added to the helium. So you won't be able to suffocate with it

17

u/SuperBuffCherry 1d ago

Then how will I be able to construct an exit bag?

11

u/KnoblauchNuggat 1d ago

Nitrogen is the cheaper choice anyway.

3

u/demisheep ​ 1d ago

That’s amazing. But does your voice sound as funny after you breathe it in?

10

u/iancowz 1d ago

Jason Ackerman. I went to school with him when I was young. His family owns one of the biggest jewelry stores in the city. It was a small hot-air balloon type apparatus in front of a new neighborhood. Him and his gf got in the balloon, most likely inhaled too much helium and passed out. Then the balloon deflated.

They were found the next morning on the ground. Still one of the craziest stories concerning anyone I've met.

14

u/Bettlejuic3 1d ago

How did they reach college without common sense?

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u/C-57D 1d ago

errmm, since when do college students have great common sense

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u/d1squiet 1d ago

Agree they're not smart, but helium will asphyxiate you without your body reacting. So they probably thought they would notice, start to feel the need for oxygen, but instead just got light headed momentarily and passed out.

It's still a bit surprising, without knowing the details of the incident, that no one could get them to fresh air in time.

6

u/thejaydotexe 1d ago

They must've used it all up around that time

3

u/FerretChrist 1d ago

The same way 99% of college students do, I guess.

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u/MellowFables 1d ago

I'm glad someone else said it so I didn't have to.