Q&A for How to Suck in a Helium Balloon

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  • Question
    Is there any danger to sucking helium from an aluminum balloon rather than a regular latex one?
    Community Answer
    Using a mylar (foil) balloon is actually safer for two reasons. First, it is easier to control how much helium you get. Second, there is no talcum powder inside the balloon.
  • Question
    How long does the effect last?
    Community Answer
    Only a few seconds.
  • Question
    Why can't I breathe in helium from a pressurized tank?
    Community Answer
    Unlike a balloon, which has a very slight pressure difference from your lungs, a helium tank is under high pressure. If you inhale directly from a tank, you're forcing a lot of helium into your lungs, which is bad for many reasons. It can cause your lungs to become overinflated and even possibly rupture (tear open) and you will quickly lose the oxygen in your lungs and blood, causing you to suffocate, which can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage, or even death. Not a good idea.
  • Question
    Should I only suck on the balloon opening?
    Community Answer
    You suck the area from where the helium is escaping.This could be the balloon's regular opening or a hole you've poked.
  • Question
    Why doesn't oxygen work?
    Community Answer
    Oxygen doesn't work because it's what we breathe in everyday. If we breathed in oxygen and it made a funny voice, we would have funny voices forever.
  • Question
    Does a helium balloon float?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it does. Helium is lighter than air, so it will float away if you let it go.
  • Question
    When I suck the helium out, do I need to swallow it?
    Community Answer
    No, you just inhale it, and that will make your voice higher.
  • Question
    Why can't I suck in helium from a balloon?
    Community Answer
    You may be sucking in more oxygen than helium. The balloon you choose must be filled with helium to feel the effects.
  • Question
    Where do I put the needle in?
    Community Answer
    It truly doesn't matter, but it is easier to control the flow of the helium if it is near the knot as you can pinch the hole to stop the helium and release to allow it to flow again.
  • Question
    Can you actually die from this?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it's so unlikely, unless you have certain breathing problems or you have symptoms they listed like suffocation and strokes.
  • Question
    Why does my voice sounds funny?
    Community Answer
    Helium makes your vocal cords vibrate faster, which results in a high tone. The details are found on the paragraph before the instructions.
  • Question
    What gas will make you talk slower?
    Community Answer
    Sulfur hexafluoride will make your voice deeper. You won't generally find this in balloons, though. If you want to talk more slowly, just talk more slowly. You control that.
  • Question
    Can I inhale the full balloon?
    Community Answer
    That's not a good idea because your brain can go for only 5-6 seconds without oxygen before the situation becomes dangerous.
  • Question
    Do I swallow the helium?
    Community Answer
    No, you don't swallow it. You just breathe it in like you would breathe in air.
  • Question
    Is there an age limit to doing this?
    Sarah Battilana
    Community Answer
    There isn't, but if you're really young (under 10), you should ask your parents beforehand. They may want to be nearby.
  • Question
    How do I know if the balloon I am using is filled with helium?
    Niamh12345
    Community Answer
    Go inside and let go of the balloon, if it floats up to the ceiling it is helium. If it does not float, it isn't helium.
  • Question
    Why does helium make your voice high-pitched?
    Community Answer
    A lighter-than-oxygen gas, helium actually allows sound to move faster through your vocal cords, causing the perception of higher-frequency sound.
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