The Guide | Photos | Videos | Columns | Calendar Artist Directory Classified Ads | Who's Who Entertainer Forum | Decorator Forum | Recipes	more search options

How to inflate balloons - tips for round and non-round balloons

My best 'trick'" with balloons is inflating two in my mouth at once. On a good day, I can inflate as many as five (if they're all lined up just right)
- Unknown

• How much air does a fully inflated 260 hold?
• Why blow up a balloon by mouth?
• How to blow up a balloon by mouth
• Special effects
  • Blowing up a balloon backwards
    
  • Blowing up balloons from the middle
    
  • The Suck Method
    
  • Altering the shape of the balloon
    
  • Controlled variations in thickness
    
  • Puffing a poodle tail and making antennas/feelers
    
  • Curly-Q's
    
  • Uses for the Curly-Q
    
  • Multiple balloon inflations
    
  • The Flash Inflate or the Blast Method:
    
  • Nose inflation
    
  • Up Your Nose with a Rubber... What???
    
  • Other Tricks
    
• Tying Knots
• Why blow up a balloon with a pump?
  • Pump Disadvantages:
    
  • Pump Testamonials
    
  • Cheater,Cheater...
    
• Balloon pumps
  • Hand pumps
    
  • Palm pumps
    
  • 130 Blaster
    
  • Euro pump or Faster Blaster
    
  • 260 Blaster
    
  • Qualatex AirInflator
    
  • Pump T
    
  • Other hand pumps that work for inflating balloons
    
  • Floor pumps
    
  • Pump O
    
  • Pump 1
    
  • Pogo Pump
    
  • The Invincible Free Standing Balloon Pump
    
  • The Amuzemetist
    
  • The Filbert Pump
    
  • Convert-A-Pump
    
  • Balloon Master
    
  • Making Your Own Pump
    
  • Living, breathing pumps
    
• Carrying Pumps
• Decorating Pumps
• Portable, Battery Powered Inflators
  • The Inflator
    
  • Pouch Pump
    
  • Balloon Buoy
    
  • Airman Pump
    
  • Other Rechargeable pumps
    
• Air compressors
• Blowers
• Helium
• Nitrogen
• Sizers and Regulators
  • Dual Sizers
    
  • Duplicator II
    
  • Precision Air Inflator
    
  • Other Regulators and Sizers
    

How much air does a fully inflated 260 hold?

              pi * diameter * diameter * length
260Q Volume = -----------------------------------  cubic inches
                           4

A fully inflated 260Q is really 1.75" in diameter, and 50" long.

               3.14 * 1.75 * 1.75 * 50
260Q Volume = ------------------------- = 120.3 cubic inches
                           4

1 cubic foot = 12 * 12 * 12 = 1728 cubic inches

                             120.3
260Q Volume in cubic feet = ------- = 0.07 cubic feet
                             1728

Why blow up a balloon by mouth?

• The part of the true magic of the balloon is in the blowing. It has a person's breath trapped inside, to give it life. A pump does not take away the magic of balloons, but blowing them up by mouth adds to the magic.

• Have you ever seen a mouth inflater at work? It adds an incredible amount of excitement to an event, even if he/she is far away. It is kind of like action and color in motion.

• There are balloon pumps that make this task somewhat easier. If you are interested in balloon sculpting as just a hobby, a pump can be a great asset. However, I strongly urge anyone who plans to use balloons in an act to learn to blow them up with his mouth. It looks much more impressive than using a pump and means that there's one less item to carry to shows. That doesn't mean that if you're twisting balloons for an audience you should avoid pumps. If you're inflating more than a few balloons a pump can be a very handy tool.

• There is also a case for being able to blow by mouth when the need arises! There isn't anyone who hasn't seen or been in the situation of having half the shift to go and a long line of anticipating moppets when the pump snaps, jams or otherwise thumbs its nose at you.

• When I inflate a balloon by mouth, it takes 1 - 2 seconds. People are usually impressed by how quickly I inflate and tie off. It doesn't interfere with my patter very much at all. If you do shtick while you're inflating, you're probably taking more than one breath to blow it up, which makes it more difficult.

• The mouth inflation method is the most convenient for me, and I'll stick with it. I recommend trying it. I think the impression you make by being able to blow the balloons up by mouth is worth more than being able to talk to someone for the 10 seconds it takes to inflate the balloon. It just takes practice. . . remember keep those cheeks in!

• I have a Pump-0 and a Pogo pump, but I have yet to find anything that gives me the freedom of inflating by mouth.

• Blowing balloons by mouth gives me two very important benefits. The first is the freedom. When I am doing a large group (indoor or outdoor), it gives me a chance to circulate and mingle, and this is much better for me than standing in a single place for long hours. The second benefit is perhaps the strongest. The interplay between the group and myself about the ability to blow-up 260's is worth the effort to practice the blowing. It's a great way to handle hecklers, to challenge the big strong macho guys, and to make your performance remembered by everyone.

• I always have a banter going on with the audience. Even when blowing the balloons up, I'm making faces or doing a take on a member of the audience. I feel that you can't have this kind of intimacy with your audience when you use a pump. (Hey, you can't get much more intimate - you just gave them some of your spit.)

• I have a pump, but I mostly inflate balloons by mouth. I like to make faces when I blow up the balloons. One face is me out of breath. The other face is that the balloon is going to explode. Usually my comment is like "this color (what ever it is) will usually EXPLODE!" before I proceed to blow it up. I use this routine in twisting as well, and it helps in two ways. If the balloon explodes, no one is surprised, and I just get another one. If I make a mistake and a part of the sculpture deflates or explodes, I just say "Well I was afraid of that" and continue.

• I can blow up two balloons at a time with my mouth, plus flash inflate. You can't do those with a pump.

• I blow by mouth. Not only is it impressive for the parents and any others who have ever tried to blow these things up, but it gets the balloon up in the air which is good for visibility (in restaurants, etc.). Plus, not having a pump means one less thing to haul around.

• The audience expects a twister to blow the things by mouth, and the kids love to be tickled by them as they are being blown. If you can blow them up by mouth, you can more effectively engage an audience and adults by challenging them to blow the balloons up themselves. It's quite a laugh to see them try!

• I ask for volunteers that are really strong and daring. I select at least three - this makes the volunteers less self conscious. I try for at least one adult if possible, the bigger the better. Next I whip out a 260 for each of us and explain how it is their lucky day because they have been selected to learn to make this incredible balloon sculpture. They need only do as I do... Now everybody take a deep breath and blow them up like this...

  Of course mine is the only balloon that goes anywhere, but I pretend not to notice and continue - now tie them like this (huffing and puffing from the volunteers with intense laughter from them and the audience) ... make the first twist, then the next (I usually make something quick and nice like a teddy bear) ...and here it is!..I turn to the volunteers and ask "How'd you do?". At this point I offer to be a good sport and blow it up for them. "Would you drop them on the table please? I think I'll take fresh ones, thank you." I hand the teddy bear to the closest volunteer. If I had the time I usually pre-twist a few balloons which I now retrieve and hand to the other volunteers as I ask that they be applauded for a great job. I usually feel I will lose the audience's attention if I start twisting new stuff for each volunteer so I always keep a couple of toys in my pockets for just such emergencies.

  Note: Don't let them try blowing too long as some people become light headed or worse from this! One or two tries is enough to accomplish the fun you are after!

• There is a difference in the feel of balloons blown up by mouth and by pump. Pumped balloons are tighter and of a larger diameter than mouth inflated balloons. It is probably due to the fact that mouth inflated balloons contain warm moist air from your lungs while pumped balloons are full of air at room conditions.

• From years of experience, I would agree that humidity makes a big difference in the feel, resilience, and workability of balloons. They also seem to squeak less when blown my mouth than when they're pumped with drier ambient air.

• Inflating by mouth, I also find I can control how the balloons inflate. I have had problems in the past with what I call puff marks in the balloons. These may be best described as changes in the diameter of a 260 at the change of breath point. Since I have the lung capacity to full inflate a 260Q completely by mouth in one breath I can keep a fairly consistent shape in my balloons.

• I use a pump, but I still do a lot of "spontaneous" twisting where toting a pump just isn't practical.

• Some say that we are teaching to put it in their mouths. WRONG! Kids and adults alike put them in their mouth anyway!!!! Remember getting an uninflated round balloon as a kid--did you ever have a pump handy? 99 percent would say "no". It just automatic for non-balloon types to do this. Otherwise how would you inflate it? It's like air mattresses and inflatable toys. People don't have air pumps laying around for when they get balloons.

• WRONG! Just because we didn't use pumps in the past doesn't mean we shouldn't re-educate the public. Also when did you see somone choking on an air mattress or inflatable toy? No comparison!

• My point is, power to the pumpers, power to us mouthers. Just blow it up, twist it and make someone happy! That is the job we do, right?

• Everyone has their preference, whether for ease, the way it looks, or whatever the reason. The point is to get the balloon inflated and make it into something cool, wierd, pretty or all of these together. Although, I gotta comment on some of the statements I saw:

  "You don't want a balloon I spit on, do you?"

  Since when do any of us spit ON a balloon? or IN a balloon? I've been mouth inflating for 5 years and have yet to do either of these 2. Yes, some gets in on occasion while inflating, but who actually spits? Mind you, yes it happens that sometimes you see it, in jewel tones, but 95 percent of the time you don't see anything. Also, they aren't touching the INSIDE of the balloon are they??

How to blow up a balloon by mouth

Then, put on some safety glasses before you try any of this!

• When you first get started, you will probably be tempted to stretch the balloon. You may find that it helps some, but more likely, you'll just change the shape of the balloon and possibly weaken it enough in some areas that it will pop when you start twisting. Stretching the balloon is useful if you want to fill it a little differently, like with a bulge in the middle, but that's about it. The more they are stretched or weakened, the sooner they'll pop. The best way to fill the balloon is with one large breath without pausing. Unfortunately, most people can't do that. Nevertheless, the fewer breaths it takes to inflate the balloon, the smoother the balloon will look and the easier it will be to work with.

• Hold the nozzle of the balloon in your mouth and pinch the balloon about one inch away from the nozzle. Just hold the rolled nozzle (collar) between your lips, not your teeth. I always tell people to hold the balloon with the palm outwards, back of the hand above the mouth and shielding the eyes. I've had balloons blow up in my face many times. About half the time there's some warning -- the balloon will blow up with a kink in it, or inflate with a decidedly variable flow, or behave strangely in some respect just before it goes. Not nearly always, though. If I didn't always wear my glasses when twisting, I suspect I'd have gotten slapped pretty good at least a couple of times. As it is, I just get a stung cheek once every night or two.

• After being snapped in the eye once, I changed my inflation procedure. I hold the balloon between my thumb and index finger, palm out. I place my index finger against my nose, causing the back of my hand to be protecting my eyes. I let the index finger and thumb of my other hand glide down the balloon while I inflate, "feeling for imperfections". If one is felt, I stop and check it out. I still get popped, but not in the eye, and it has certainly decreased getting snapped as much as before. Also, aim the ballon down and away as you fill it. And I notice that, of the hand in my face, the middle, ring, and little fingers are almost in my eye. Don't mess with your eyes! I still worry a bit that a balloon might blind me. The minimum I suggest to those who mouth inflate is wear glasses (even if you need to put plain glass in there). Also, twist away from the face since the balloons can also pop afterwards.

• Blow into a small section of the balloon and try to form a bubble. While blowing, stretch the section of balloon you are holding a small amount (grab the balloon about 2 inches from the nozzle and stretch it outward another inch or two). It's much easier to fill the rest of the balloon if you have a small bubble to get you started. After forming this small bubble, pinch the nozzle closed so no air comes out, and take a deep breath. Now, if possible, fill the balloon with one breath. Use stomach muscles and not cheek muscles. Puffing up your cheeks and blowing from your head will only succeed in making you dizzy and possibly hurting your eyes and ears.

• Tip for those who just can't start the silly things: Carry a palm pump to start the balloon and blow the rest.

• The idea is to blow through the small opening you form with your mouth around the balloon. One common mistake is to blow hard while letting the cheeks fill with air. Doing so will only build pressure in your mouth. Also, remember to breathe through your nose. Blowing into the balloon isn't a good reason to forget about breathing, and hyperventilating isn't the best way to be reminded.

• If you find that it hurts to blow up the balloon, you are probably blowing too hard. Relax and blow a bit more softly. When I started, I'd persist until I went red and got all these pretty stars in front of my eyes. I'm sure this isn't good for you. A bit of 'relax' 'focus' 'gentle' Zen-stuff from the masters would have done me a world of good. If you really can't get the hang of it now, use a pump and try to blow it up with your mouth later. It isn't worth hurting yourself. The fun part is the twisting anyway.

• The one big problem I had when I was learning to inflate by mouth was blowing too hard and keeping my mouth closed! I would get trememdous pressure, but it couldn't go anywhere.

• From where I sit, as a professional entertainer, in both the music world and family entertainment, blowing a balloon by mouth is not a problem. When it is done correctly, with the correct technique, there is no damage to be done. It is only slightly more back pressure than playing most wind instruments. This is not just an opinion, but backed from 20 years of university teaching and professional performing on wind instruments as well as 15 years as a twister. The biggest problem arises when the technique to inflate the balloon by mouth is wrong. When this happens, you can most definitely hurt yourself. As a trained musician, using correct diaphragm technique and embouchure (French for the way you form your mouth for playing an instrument), I can tell you that I have never experienced a problem. Early in my twisting days, I hadn't yet been taught the correct way to 'start' the balloon and regularly had headaches and other problems. I learned the proper technique from The Balloon Video from Flora and Co in Albuquerque. Ever since that time, there has not been a problem.

• It does take some practice to get it down so you don't pass out. The most important point is that you push the air out of your lungs with your diaphragm, through your mouth and into the balloon. Squeeze your cheeks tight! (No, not THOSE cheeks). Your cheeks should never puff out; if they do, they will surely be sore! If you feel like you're blowing too hard, you are. Relax. It takes a lot less effort than you realize. Sometimes just blowing more gently is all it will take to fill the balloon.

• I understand that are many newcomers (and old hands) that get frustrated by the dizzy feelings and the light headedness when first blowing balloons. In my experience (8+ years) balloon blowing is just like every other new thing in our lives. In order to become good at it you must practice it. You will gradually increase your capacity by blowing balloons every day. This is a good way to practice your twisting and to experiment with new figures. The key for me was to blow balloons every day. Try this for a month and see if your capacity increases. Now I can do 600-700 hundred balloons in day with very little discomfort.

• You will also find that you'll get dizzy if you try too hard and long. Slow down, pause between attempts. Give it up for ten minutes and come back. Once you get better, you may still find you get dizzy now and then, or get a headache after doing many balloons. Again, practice will help both of these. Any time you do a lot more blowing than usual, you are likely to have these problems. Even now, if I skip for a few weeks, I'll get a mild headache after an hour or two of inflating balloons.

• Not blowing into the balloon is the most common mistake. Blowing very hard will tend to close the balloon opening and result in your cheeks exploding before the balloon inflates. It's learning how to focus your breath INTO the balloon that will suddenly make it easy.

• A hint I found for blowing up balloons more easily is to pull on the balloon slightly, start blowing (not too hard, but firmly), and then slowly release the pull on the balloon - at some point a bubble will appear, and the rest is easy!

• Blowing balloons up is simply a physical feat. There's some technique, eg., not letting one's cheeks puff out, and blowing into the balloon (not squeezing the nozzle too hard with one's lips), etc., but mostly it's just brute force. Pulling just a nudge's worth when starting to inflate the initial bubble is a good idea, but mostly I think it just helps one concentrate into maximizing effort for an instant (like the kihap yell in martial arts).

• Unfortunately, just attempting to blow a balloon up is like walking up to a set of weights and trying to bench press 180 lbs. Not too many people can do it. Working up to it is the key.

• Your diaphragm, cheeks, and lips all have muscles that must be built up to handle mouth inflation. Remember those cheek muscles especially. If you let your cheeks puff out when inflating balloons, they'll get incredibly sore and painful. If you can't keep them in just using your facial muscles, try using your fingers (holding the balloon like a cigarette (British style) and wrapping the hand around your cheeks to hold your cheeks in -- it works for many people.

• I recommend pre-inflating balloons with a pump, fully deflating them, (try doing this again once or twice) and then reblowing them by mouth. Once you can do that easily, then try just inflating a little bubble in a balloon and working from there. Once you've got that, then try inflating it entirely by mouth.

• I learned to blow a 260 by first blowing a bag of balloons up one at a time with a compressor and then letting the air back out. This stretched the balloon enough that I could inflate them by mouth. I have been doing this for a couple of years now, and, in a pinch, I can blow them up without pre-inflating them. I have the process down to an art and can pre-inflate a bag in about 20 minutes. I like pre-blowing because I weed out the defectives and the balloons are easier to blow by mouth when I'm working long hours. I have found that pre-blown balloons do not seem to be any weaker than fresh balloons. Plus, the pre-blowing process weeds out the weak ones or the ones with pinholes and helps if you need to sort colors. I have had other twisters observe me at work and ask why I have so few pops.

• If you can't blow up pre-inflated balloons, then get an easier balloon to inflate. 350s are very easy, for instance. Also Tilly 260's are easier to inflate than the 260 Q's.

• Also, practice with different colors. Different colors are often noticeably easier or harder to inflate. With Qualatex 260's, clear seems to be the easiest; orange seems to be the hardest. Also, cold balloons are much harder to inflate than warm balloons, so practice on warm balloons.

• Personally, I learned on relatively easy to inflate Ashland 260A's about 12 years ago. Once I could reliably blow one of them up, I got a gross of 260Es and started trying to blow those up. After about six or eight weeks, I could reliably blow up 260Es (which are about as hard as Qualatex 260Qs).

  About 1/3 to 1/2 of the people who try Ashland 260A's and 245A's can blow them up in their first session; most of the rest can master it the next day. Practice with them a while. You can blow good balloons and have fun, but they'll pop more easily than heavier balloons. Once you're comfortable with them (e.g., can blow them up in one breath), then try getting some Ashland 260Es or Qualatex 260Qs. They're heavier and will take more abuse while twisting, but are harder to blow up. It took me about six weeks from being unable to inflate an A to reliably inflating Es.

  Above all, don't get discouraged. It took me about 1/2 hour just to get my first 245A (a green one) started.

• Like exercise, I'd also recommend lots of short efforts. If you can't inflate a balloon at all, working on it for more than five minutes won't help anything. Just work at it for a minute or two, and then put it away for a few hours. Once you have the strength to do it occasionally, start working on building up your reps. Once you can do a modest number of reps, then do something a little tougher and work your way up gradually. As with exercise, you need both the strength to inflate, and the stamina to do it on demand repeatedly.

  How should I practice? A couple of balloons a day? My first try is usually the best, and I get worse after that. Do a few a day. Most importantly, stop when you start to feel pain. If you're that determined, you'll get it. This is probably the hardest thing about ballooning.

• Once a long while ago, someone asked if there was an exercise to help you inflate a 260. Here's a thought. Whistling! I am a chronic whistler and recently noticed that after doing a bunch of balloons, my whistle was wilted and wouldn't work. The cheeks, the diaphram and the lips are all intrinsic to both actions.

• Take up a musical instrument! I've played the trombone for a long time and (not to brag) blowing up 260Q's is pretty easy. I find that it's about 80 percent technique and 20 percent diaphram. Next time you're in the library see if you can find a book on playing instruments. I'd look for one on brass and look in it for topics about your embouchure (pronounced \.a:m-bu.-'shu.(*)r\ ). There's lots of info there!

• You can tell if you're doing it right if your face and cheeks DO NOT get tired. In fact, I find that my diaphram starts to get tired after about 5-6 hours where my face and cheeks still feel fine.

• I blow my balloons up by mouth, although it did take a little practice. I believe in the diaphragm theory. I also do a lot of singing and teaching which helps with the diaphragm. There is an exercise to strengthen the diaphragm for singing, and I guess it would be helpful for those learning to blow up balloons. I'll try and explain it.

  First, make sure you are using your diaphragm. The average person breathes only a third of the air required for a full breath. They only use the top part of their lungs.

  • Put your right hand on your chest about three inches above your shoulder, then your left hand on your chest about three inches below your right.
  • Take in a natural breath, holding it for a couple of seconds, then exhale through your nose.
  • If your upper hand moves in more than the lower hand then your not using the full capacity of your lungs.

  Let's try this exercise to strengthen your diaphragm:

  • Take a deep breath, hold for a couple of seconds and exhale slowly.
  • Do it again, but, when you let the air out, make the sound of a long extended eeeee. Your tongue should be arched and the tip touching the bottom teeth.
  • While making this sound, push up with diaphragm (pretend you are lifting a heavy weight, straining to pick it up) and try to send that sound right up to the top of your head.
  • See how long it takes until all the air is gone from your lungs.

  Do this maybe twice a day in 5 minute sessions. You will find that when you let the air out slowly it will last longer and longer. This is because your lungs are filling up with more air and getting stronger.

• 260s can be blown up without a lot of effort if you use the right muscles. I've left more than one trumpet player dumfounded because they couldn't inflate a 260 after seeing me inflate 3 at once.

• I need to note that many have been purporting the diaphragm theory regarding inflating balloons. The diaphragm, when it contracts, moves downward (inferior) to create a vacuum, which draws air into the lungs. Expiration happens naturally as the diaphragm relaxes. Forced expiration occurs with the contraction of some of the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm is an antagonist to some of the intercostals, and vice-versa. To forcefully exhale, the diaphragm must relax a lot. I cannot accurately say whether the diaphragm retains a degree of tone to achieve the pressure necessary to inflate a 260, but I can say it is not the diaphragm that is majorly used to inflate them.

• 130's are difficult to inflate by mouth. Marc (PsychGuy@aol.com) writes: I do routinely inflate 130's by mouth. I started working out a few months ago, especially aimed at my stomach muscles. It made all of the difference.

• Whatever muscles are involved, I think they are "the same" muscles as used when playing an air-flow musical instrument (especially brass, such as trumpet, but also singing!). I have a degree in music and never had trouble blowing up balloons. I've seen other musicians pick it up quickly, too. We have learned to "use our diaphragms," but perhaps that is a misnomer.

• There is one issue of concern for those who receive balloons from people who inflate the balloons by mouth, and that is germs. While they are impressed that you can inflate the balloons without a pump, they also are not happy to see their child sucking on the balloon in the same place you just had your mouth! In fact I know of one balloon worker who was inflating by mouth and got sued. One kid, who received an animal, later came down with pneumonia and had to be hospitalized. The parents claimed the balloon worker had inflated the balloon by mouth, and had coughed a few times at the party. They served him with a subpoena, put him on the stand, asked him health questions and got a list of parties the balloonist did 2-4 weeks prior to the plaintiff's party. They found that some kids from the parties had become ill afterwards, and the balloon worker was nailed as the carrier! The balloon worker lost the suit, and was ordered to pay all medical bills, pain and suffering, etc...

• I've learned a few things about balloon inflating over the last few years, and, since we are on the subject, let me just share some of my wisdom with you all.
  1. Always blow into the end with the hole. As it happens, many on this list are constantly complaining about holes in their balloons. I have found, however, that without one it takes me upwards of a day to get the darn thing inflated.

  2. Remember to tie the knot AFTER you inflate the balloon. Getting this mixed up is going to make it difficult to inflate. See #1 above.

  3. With the fingers that are holding the balloon close to your mouth, don't pinch too hard. Pinching too hard is akin to tying the knot of #2 which leads to #1.

  4. On the other hand, when giving the balloon that little tug, you want to pinch that end real hard. Otherwise the balloon snaps up and hits you in the nose. That can hurt, but it also might get you a few birthday gigs. Caution - give your brain a rest - don't think too hard about which hand pinches hard and which hand doesn't. You'll hurt something for sure.

  5. If it hurts, buy a pump (or you can do like my kids do and get someone else to blow up the balloons for you!).

  6. Watch out for the point of no return. This is the thing you see in cartoons all the time. You blow, and you blow, and, just when you think you've got the darn thing all the way full, it decides to deinflate right back into you. You fill up with air and go bouncing down the street. (Not a pretty site, and it hurts too!).

  7. "Don't forget to stop blowing when the balloon is full." Explosive decompression upon over-inflation results in loud initial noise, followed by "duck call" like noise from continued exhalation through balloon remnant. Similar to #4, loud noise can be painful, but then again, duck call may result in birthday gigs (or being attacked by over-amorous water-fowl.)

• Does anyone know any exercises to improve lung capacity so I can finally blow up a 260 without a pump?

• Lung capacity is not the issue here -- the issue is strength. In the good ol' days, one could buy 260As (A = Amateur) and use those until they weren't nearly impossible to blow up. Then one could buy some 260Es (E = Entertainer) , and work on those until one could inflate them reliably.

  Nowadays, that's no longer an option. Instead, what I usually recommend is to use a pump to inflate 260Qs, then let all the air out of them, then try blowing them up by mouth. At first you'll probably have to inflate them completely before deflating them, possibly more than once. As you get comfortable with that, inflate it somewhat less, and work on fully inflating it by mouth. Don't work on trying to inflate a balloon by mouth for any period of time; if it doesn't work in two or three tries, put it down and come back in an hour or two.

  Do this regularly, possibly a few times a day. You've got muscles to build, and it will take time. Once you can do it reliably, then you'll need to start working on stamina. Just like exercise (which it is), you'll need to work on building up your reps. Keep going, and perhaps someday you'll be able to handle a couple hundred in a few hours.

• Try starting with larger balloons than 260's. Start with a 9" round. No problem? Go to a 5". Still no problem? try a 350, then a 321, hearts, etc...

• At each try go slowly...concentrate on exactly what your muscles are doing. Keep your cheeks in - use your diaphram muscles. Blow into the balloon with a very directed streem of air like blowing into a straw. At the begining of a 260 it helps to strech it slightly while your blowing into it. (Watch that you don't pinch the balloon shut with your finger while your holding it!) Once you have a small bubble it should be easier but try not to stop until you have a significant bubble.

• Most of all - go slowly. Don't let your self get dizzy or try until your cheeks and whole head is sore. In fact, try practicing the directed stream of air without a balloon.

• In reply to Aaron (and many others over the time I've been reading this list) -- once you get that initial little bubble started in the balloon, the rest is easy. And starting that first little expansion is easy if you do this: (Now, I have to say in all honesty, that this is the way I always think of the process, but I've been utterly unable to teach my wife or anyone else the concept) -- Get the balloon end firmly seated in your mouth and imagine that you are at a water- spitting contest. Your job is to spit a big mouthful of water as far as you can, so you do NOT use your lungs, you close off your throat and use the pressure from your jaw (a very strong muscle indeed) to get maximum force.

• Inflate a gross of 260Q's with a pump, let the air out, and set them aside. Upon arising on the following day, inflate as many of them as you can. Stop when you even think you might be getting a headache from this exercize. I mean it! Don't try to do even one more. Keep the ones you've inflated by mouth seperate from those inflated once by pump. Don't use them again for the exercize. Wait until later in the day and repeat. Do this until you can inflate a whole bag of pre-inflated 260Q's in one sitting. I think that you should be able to do a fresh, pre-"UN"inflated 260Q at this point. Be encouraged, even if you only get a fresh one to start a little bit; it's a beginning. Keep after it, and you should be able to get to the point of blowing them up all day long. If after a week or so you aren't near being able to complete the preinflated exersize, you may be one of those that will never be able to inflate by mouth. Not to worry. Get a hold of T. Myers for a professional balloon pump. That's what they're there for, and I'm sure he's sold a lot of them. Even though I blow all my balloons by mouth, I own one. I use it when I am physically ill because I can't inflate them by mouth and keep working, and I also don't wish to spread germ warfare.

• Everyone else has just about covered it all so far. The only other suggestion I might add is to inflate a gross of 260Q's with a pump, let the air out, and set them aside. But not for too long. The latex is viscoelastic, and given enough time (less time required if you increase the temperature), it will relax back to its original pre-inflated shape.

• That's why I said to begin the excercize on arising for the day. They relax enough to make you work, but not near their original elasticity, so as to defeat the purpose. Times may vary from person to person. If you find the excercize too hard after leaving the pre-inflated balloons overnight, shorten the time between preparation and execution. If, on the other hand, you find it too easy, lengthen the time span. Either way, a big THANK YOU to Mark for pointing this out.

• Many years ago, I too wanted to inflate 260's without a pump. After reading a hundred conflicting pieces of advice on this mailing list, I set off in search of the truth.

  I traveled far and wide, from the Wichita, Kansas factories to the rubber tree jungles of South America. Month after month went by, and I was losing hope; high up in the Andes, even my Sherpa guides deserted me. Then one fateful morning above the tree-line, amidst the barren, snow-covered peaks, a wisp of smoke trailing from a rock outcropping caught my eye. With my binoculars I could just make out a lone monk seated cross-legged in front of a few glowing embers. I headed for the smoke and when I crested the ridge I found the slope below him littered with piles of brightly colored ballon dogs ten feet deep! I knew at once that my search was over! I threw myself at his feet and begged "Oh great master, show me the way to inflation!"

  At first he did not even acknowledge my presence. Then after an interminable silence, he opened his eyes, took a (deep) breath and spoke these words of wisdom which I will _never_ forget: He said..., uhhhh... no, wait, it was, errrr... oh yeah -

  "High Altitude Training."

  At long last I had the answer, only to realize that I didn't know how to apply it. So I stayed and studied with him for two months, while he opened my mind to Zen and the art of balloon folding. When I was ready to leave the Maharishi gave me this corollary that I would now like to pass on to you, Aaron:

  "One small puff for a 130, a giant blow for 350-kind."

  I return to this holy mountian once a year to expand my lungs and my consciousness, but every year it gets more expensive. I hope my research is of some benefit to you and the other readers. If so, please send your contributions to the "Go tell it on the mountian Fund," care of Balloon HQ.

• To burp or not, that is the question.

• It depends upon how you blow up the balloon. If by mouth or with a large pump, then the balloon is stiffer and may have too much air and you need to burp a little. But the smaller handpumps seem to leak air, so the balloons start out softer and may not need to be burped. It's a matter of judgment, just practice, practice, practice and the hands get used to feeling the amount of air in the balloon and then adjusting for it.

• Also it depends upon the sculpture that is being made. A simple animal with just a few twists may not need to be burped, whereas one with many bubbles should be burped. Some needed to be burped so as to be almost limp, especially those that are folded and twisted en mass such as flower petals. See the web site.

• It is better to burp a burp and live in shame, than to squelch a belch and live in pain.

• While in polite society it is terribly gauche. . . oh, wait gauche means left and since I am a lefty, that is not terribly politically correct to state. . ummmm well burping is a no-no . . . But in the balloonie toonie world of professionals, burping is the action of letting a bit of air out of a newly inflated balloon just before tieing the knot so that the balloon will be less likely to build up so much air pressure that it explodes while you are twisting.

Special effects

• Blowing up a balloon backwards
  
• Blowing up balloons from the middle
  
• The Suck Method
  
• Altering the shape of the balloon
  
• Controlled variations in thickness
  
• Puffing a poodle tail and making antennas/feelers
  
• Curly-Q's
  
• Uses for the Curly-Q
  
• Multiple balloon inflations
  
• The Flash Inflate or the Blast Method:
  
• Nose inflation
  
• Up Your Nose with a Rubber... What???
  
• Other Tricks
  

Blowing up a balloon backwards

• Filling it up at the tail (nipple) and ending at the mouth (nozzle. This is useful for a sculpture like an elephant where you want a long thin trunk and a thin tail, or if you're going to be making a lot of twists, and you need room for the balloon to expand on each end. There are several ways you can do it.
  1. Stretch the balloon as much as you can while inflating. That is, hold the nipple of the balloon in an outstretched hand while blowing into the nozzle. This is sort of difficult to get the hang of, and it's a lot harder to get air into the balloon.
  2. Stretch only the nipple end of the balloon a little before inflating. By stretching one spot on the balloon, you're weakening it at that point. That spot will naturally get inflated first since the air will be stretching some latex that's already been stretched. Once a bubble is started, it will continue to fill from that spot.
  3. Wrap your fingers loosely around the balloon leaving only the tail free.

  A combination of 2 and 3 allows you to get the most control over how the balloon gets filled.

• Even with 260's, I have a lot of fun doing this when people try to blow up 260's. "Well, if you have trouble blowing them up from the regular end, you can turn them around and blow them up from the other end. Then you can inflate them backwards." That always seems to throw them.

Blowing up balloons from the middle

• To blow up balloons from the middle, prevent the air from going anywhere else. Simply stated, if you want a balloon to inflate from the center, you place one of your hands above and the other below the center of the uninflated balloon while air enters it and inflates the center portion. You then let the air out, and set the balloon aside until you are ready to use it for a special effect. The pre-stretched portion will then readily inflate when applying air to it.

• One quick but effective bit I've been doing (learned from the Dan Garrett video, Kid Show Konivery, a variation is in the first issue of Balloon Magic) is removing a bubble from a balloon. The first time when you get the balloon out (prestretched and preinflated with just a small bubble in the middle) you also palm a 2" balloon bubble of the same color (see "meatballs" section for several ways to make these) blow up a bubble in the balloon (which having been prestretched should inflate in the middle). When the bubble is the same size as your palmed bubble, pinch the nozzle and make a comment about how they're not supposed to blow up that way (hold the balloon in the left hand the palmed bubble in the right) bring the right hand over to the bubble place your palmed bubble on the balloon bubble and allow the balloon to deflate and show your bubble, it really looks like you pulled the bubble off the balloon

The Suck Method

• There is an alternate way to inflate balloons (including hard to inflate 130's) by mouth. The mouth muscles are stronger at sucking in air than they are at blowing out.

  Take the OTHER end of the 260 - the one without the opening - and suck in a 1 to 2 inch long bubble of air. Squeeze the balloon shut, turn the balloon around and then blow - (Remember from blowing up 260's that the first puff is the hardest.)

  Yes, it works, but I'd be very afraid of sucking of the end of a 130. Their quality is so awful that they explode for no particular reason, often just when I'm inflating them. The last thing I want is for a piece of latex to fly into the back of my throat while I'm sucking on it. I wouldn't encourage anyone to do this with a 260 either for the same reason.

Altering the shape of the balloon

Controlled variations in thickness

• Get a 340 and stand on the tail of it as you stretch the nozzle up to your mouth. The more you stretch the balloon the thinner it will blow up, and the harder it is to inflate. With a smooth single inflation you can make a flamingo's neck and a fat end for the head. This is an effective shaping technique, but have a big, soft chair behind you to catch you when you pass out.

• The Pump 1, PumpO or Pogo can make thin sections. These pumps give you a free hand to control the balloon as it inflates. The Pump 1 and PumpO can do anything in terms of inflation control that anyone can do by mouth (except maybe sneeze or spit). If you cut the nozzle off to make the air hole bigger, you can do the instant inflation. You can stretch the balloon 2 arms length from the nozzle to blow the whole thing up thin and long. That's hard to do by mouth.

Puffing a poodle tail and making antennas/feelers

• The following is the method I use (and teach) for moving a small amount of air inside a 260 i.e.: "The Poodle Tail Move" used for making the poodle tail. It takes a Liability (and potential hazard - sucking on the end) and replaces it with an "Effect", making it an asset:
  • Twist the bubble at the base of the tail to separate the amount of air you want to move to the end of the balloon (if the whole bubble moves, the hind legs may unwind). Loosely making a fist, wrap the little and ring fingers of the right hand around the bubble you have twisted (like a "finger palm" in magic). The lower edge of the little finger pressing against the first bubble (next to the hind legs) will keep it from unwinding when you let go with the other hand. Wrap the middle and forefinger of the right hand gently around the un- inflated portion of the tail above the bubble. Do this gently, like you would around a paper drinking straw; enough to hold it and keep the bubble from edging upward when pressure is applied, but not tightly enough to collapse the straw.

  • You should have a 1/2 inch of balloon still exposed above your right forefinger. Now press firmly with the little and ring fingers, and the bubble of air should travel to the end of the balloon, without stretching the middle portion of the tail. Now pinch closed the "tube" with your forefinger or the side edge of your thumb. With your left hand squeeze the new bubble at the end of the tail, to stretch the latex so that the air does not go right back to the base of the tail.

  • You can squeeze it with the left thumb and forefinger, or "bop" it with the palm of the left hand. If you have a long "tail" you wish to traverse, as on a jesters hat, you can wrap the necessary number of fingers of the left hand around the "tube" until you have only the last 1/2" exposed. With practice you can leave out twisting the original bubble, but I like the accuracy/control it gives me.

  • Normally I use patter as I work on the poodle building up to the effect. "...yes, poodles are fun. They have that silly haircut. We'll make this poodle for you complete with the silly haircut!" (nearing completion, working on hind legs) "...of course the important thing on a balloon poodle is to have just enough air left at the end... (twisting base of tail bubble) ...for the little poof at the end of the tail... " (getting grip for the move) "...right HERE!" (point to the uninflated 1/2" sticking up above right fist) "OOPS!...I guess we ran short of air. Could you help me? Have you ever blown out the candles on a birthday cake? Could you blow AT this for me?" (hold the balloon in front of them, a foot or two away, and as they blow, do the move.) "Thanks!" (now squeeze/bop end ). Note; the reference to blowing out candles gives a clear image to them of blowing AT, not into. If you prefer you can blow at it yourself, or make a magic gesture.

  • Another cute "bit" is to blow into your left hand and "throw that air into the tail end. Also if the child is a little balloon shy, you can ask them to blow air into YOUR left hand (you can demonstrate, "like this..."), and then transport it over to the tail. This method seems to work quite well for most people.

    Wishing you Many Twists and Few Pops
    Fred "The Balloon Dude" Harshberger

• Here's how to inflate a small bubble at the end of an uninflated section of a 260, which is often used for poodle tails and antenna or feelers on insects and crustaceans.

  DO NOT SUCK A BUBBLE ONTO THE UNINFLATED NIPPLE END OF THE BALLOON!

  The wall is thicker at the nipple end (due in part to the presence of a latex "drip" on all Qualatex 260Q's) making it a little harder to inflate than the rest of the balloon. So, it helps if you weaken the balloon _at_the_nipple_end_ by stretching it locally (a couple of good, strong sideways and lengthwise stretches - not a bunch of weak ones). Then wrap your fingers around the length of uninflated balloon that you wish to keep uninflated, so they act as a support. Force air into the nipple end by squeezing the existing bubble at the nozzle end, which causes the nipple end to "magically" inflate. Check out the instructions in the guide, under blowing up a balloon backwards. Same idea.

• Just before you do the final bubble for the poodle's tail touch it with your D-Lite (having it light up as you touch the balloon). The bubble will pop up glowing. The effect is pretty cool. When I tested it on my friends, I got quite a few Ooh's and Aah's.

• After twisting the poodle, I'll point out that it doesn't have the "poofed" tail. "I know! I'll use my 'air gun'!" Having said that I make a "gun" out of my hand (make fist, point index finger out and extend thumb up) and "shoot" the tail of the dog (let thumb snap down like the hammer of a gun while squeezing the bubble to make the poofed tail). I'll sometimes do this without saying anything, and when the "customer/child" seems surprised, I'll ask if they have never seen "an air gun" before. It might be funny to shoot it twice with no effect and the 3rd time hold the poodle with the gun hand and shoot at the thumb of the empty hand as if you thought you were doing the same thing - The magician in trouble situation - When you realize your error, the poodle tail is there, and you have done it, Ta Da. (Pop up the tail when you shoot the third time.)

• When putting the ball on the end of a poodle tail, give the tip a few good stretches to weaken the skin and squeeze the inflated part at the other end. If you don't allow the bubble to just lengthen out, a round bubble should pop out at the end. (Nothing new so far). Now the trick - as you squeeze the bubble with one hand, stick the tip of the opposite thumb in your mouth and make a show of blowing on it. It looks like you're inflating the bubble by blowing through your thumb. It always gets a laugh from the adults, and sometimes a kid's eyes will bulge out to match the bubble, and you *don't* have to suck on the balloon.

• I prefer blowing on the actual tail itself, and while blowing (I guess it is more of a puff of air), I squeeze the bubble, making the tail appear. The goal, obviously, is to make it look like you inflated the tail while blowing on the outside of the balloon.

• I get a great response from both the kids and their parents when I tell the kid that they have to help by blowing on the tail "like it is a birthday candle." As they blow, squeeze up the bubble. I find everyone wants the poodle after the first one. Just be sure not to have it pop up too close to the face. I had a balloon pop when I "poofed" the tail. Part of the balloon flew into the child's eye. The mother of the birthday child removed the small piece out of the child's eye like you would remove an eyelash. Nothing came of it except I am now more careful and am glad I carry liability insurance. Also, make sure the child does not blow into your face. I hold the balloon to the side so that doesn't happen. Before I started doing this, I caught everything they had to pass on to me.

• Don't suck on the end to get a bubble. A very easy way is to make a quick twist. . . leave a bubble that's about the size the tail pompom needs to be, and gently hold the uninflated part of the balloon so that it can't inflate, but air can move in it. Then, give a squeeze to the new bubble you just made with your free hand, the air should be forced to the end of the tail. Pinch the tail with your fingers and give the end bubble a quick squeeze, to keep the inflation, and voila! a non-damp puffy tail.

• When you suck the bubble on a balloon, you are definitely going to leave lots and lots of spit all over the outside, and if you set aside the unsanitariness of that, you're still left with a spit-covered balloon, not the most appealing of thoughts. When I first learned balloons, I was taught to suck on the end, but I have since learned how to do that twist and squeeze method. I find the twist-n-squeeze method to be more appealing aesthetically as well as quicker and more efficient. If you suck on the balloon you could have it pop and go down your windpipe. Also, if kids see you do it, they will do it. As you squeeze the air into the tip of the balloon, have a child blow on it and up it comes like magic. I always pinch the end of the balloon and snap it to expand the latex. Then I put my hand around the middle part of the tail and force the air into the end that I stretched (pinched). I always have the kids blow on the end of the tail and they think they did it magically. Always gets a good laugh!!!

• The last time I sucked a bubble on the end of a poodle tail was the *last* time, because two of the boys who saw me do it immediately put their swords in their mouths (balloon swords, of course!). The fact that it is such a neat effect makes it irresistible for kids to try out. The least they'll get is all the germs you've picked up from the multitudes of tips handed out by your phlegmatic customers!

• I've stopped sucking poodle tails because it encourages children to put the balloon in their mouths. Especially when, as often happens, they squeeze the bubble off the end and want to put it back. They then tend to try to do what they saw the twister do. On many occasions, when I've made a poodle for a child, they squeeze the dangly tail bubble, and it goes away. They then do what they saw me do -- hold the middle of the tail and squeeze the bottom. It doesn't usually work, but at least they don't stick the balloon in their mouth. Some years ago, I used the suck technique and I would see kids doing the same thing to re-inflate their creatures' tails. Unfortunately, kids are kids and do what they see other people doing, even (especially?) if they're told not to. I don't twist if I'm sick, but it still seems a poor idea to (even indirectly) encourage kids to share my germs. Finally, the squeeze technique is more surprising and entertaining.

• I used to like "sucking" the tail of a poodle too until I was almost a victim. Back in 1987 or so I was working at our Festival and had a lot of people around me watching and waiting. I sucked the tail, and it gave away and went down my throat!!! I ran to the nearest trash can and stuck my finger down my throat. It was very, very scary, and, believe me, that was the last time I ever tried that!!! Luckily, I am here to tell about it. Now, when I am doing a show, I have the kids take an oath - saying that they will not put the balloons in their mouths. Of course, the parents hear it, and they watch too. This is something we can't be too careful about.

• A variety of methods have been presented here. What I use depends on whom I'm doing it for and how many times I've done a "bit". I like to change things so that the people stay entertained.

Curly-Q's

• Wrap a 260 around two fingers and make sure it doesn't twist or overlap itself.

      _   _    _
   __|_|_/ /__/ /__
  (_____/ /__/ /___
  (____/ /__/ /____
      /_/  /_/  | |
                 @
  

• As I inflate the balloon, I keep moving my fingers inward so that I keep the curl straight. I inflate it a little more slowly than I do a straight balloon, but I keep a steady stream so that it has a consistent width.

• I wrap my balloons with the nipple near my palm and the nozzle at my fingertips. Does anyone do it the other way?

  The pre-inflation method is for those who inflate with lung power. Pre-inflate the 260 straight, then deflate it before wrapping it around your finger to make the curly-Q. It's hard to blow up otherwise.

• Mouth inflating a 260 spiral is more difficult than a straight 260. I was absolutely floored watching Anthony Mackey inflate 260 spirals at IBAC. What I would give for his set of lungs. . .

• Once you get the hang of it, you can go for the single finger method and make the very tight curls. It does take some practice, which is fine, since you will improve with every one you make.

• The tighter you can wind the balloon, the tighter the spiral (Up to a point).

• Problem - I need to know an easy way to make a spiral out of a 260Q balloon. I have tried blowing it up, letting the air out, wrapping it around my 2 fingers, and then blowing it up again, but I get half way around, and the spiral stops and won't let any air into it. If I let it go a little bit, to let the air pass, it doesn't turn into a spiral, it just looks like some odd crooked thing.

• Solution 1 - You get a twist when the uninflated balloon slips off your finger. To keep this from happening, you need to lead the bubble as it inflates. The position of the wrapped fingers in relation to the inflating bubble is most important. Watch the balloon inflate and move your wrapped fingers in a small spiral as the balloon spirals. It is a knack, but this is a good way of thinking about what you are trying to do.

• Solution 2 - A 260 gets wider as you inflate it, but it also gets longer. If you don't apply tension (a stretch) when you wrap the balloon around your finger, the length increase (upon inflation) will cause the wrap to loosen. When this happens, the balloon will twist about itself, closing itself off and preventing you from getting any more air in.

• Why does this happen? Well, as the balloon is inflated, the axial length (or height) of the spiral increases. This puts the balloon in torsion, making it want to twist itself. To visualize this behavior (which is what makes coil-springs work) find a garden hose with a stripe on it. Coil the striped garden hose on the ground, making sure that the stripe is straight (not twisted). Then grab the last coil of the hose with both hands and lift it up, keeping it parallel to the ground. Watch what happens to the stripe on the hose that lifts up as you raise and lower the top coil. If this interests you further, look in any book on helical spring design for the grisly details.

• It's not necessary to pre-inflate the balloon before making a curly-Q if you are using a pump. Making the curly-Q with an un-inflated balloon seems to make the curls stronger (I think it has something to do with the rubber not getting stretched out straight first, then curled). For super tight curly-Q's, inflate curled, deflate, wrap around finger again, re-inflate.

• I use a T. Myers Pump1. I take the 260 and wrap it around my first and middle fingers fairly tightly about 4 times. I hold the tip at the 1st knuckle of my first finger and usually end half way round the inside of the hand (back of the hand pointing towards your face as you inflate). I then inflate, making sure to keep the spiral even by moving my hand enough to let the balloon expand in place. This works like a charm, but it took a few times to get the hang of it. As always, make sure that the balloon doesn't twist or you will hear the loudest *POP* you can imagine.

• I have tried just wrapping it around my fingers, and trying to blow it up with a hand held air pump, but that is nearly impossible.

• The Pump 1, PumpO or Pogo can make spirals. There is no need to pre-inflate the balloon or to wrap the balloon around more than one finger. These pumps give you a free hand to control the balloon as it inflates. If you are out there trying to make lots of spirals with a 2 handed pump, you are working hard with a wimpy tool. There is complete information on inflating a spiral in the book, "Balls N' Balloons".

• Marvin Hardy's book, "The 260Q Decorator", says "Spirals are easier to form when another person holds the tip of the balloon to the pole." Since then, he's found an easier way. At IBAC, Marvin demonstrated a very nice method of inflating spirals. He uses a clothes pin attached to a piece of 1/2" or 3/4" pipe, mounted on a camera tripod. Marvin clips the 260 nipple in the clothes pin, applies a little tension and wraps the balloon in a helix around the pipe, maintaining the tension. He holds onto the nozzle, and inflates with a compressed air source. Then unclips the balloon and ties it off.

• Try wrapping them a little more loosely around your fingers. I have been doing it for about 8 years. It just takes practice and a lot of lung power. T. Myers does it with his pump by wrapping it around 1 finger. When you blow them by mouth you need to wrap them around 2 fingers - but not tightly!!! It's really fun when you get the knack of it.

• I have made great spirals by using a 260 battery powered pump. I have a WYCO pump from WYCO props (they have their own web page). I don't preinflate the balloon but hold the tip of the balloon between a finger and thumb and wrap the rest of the balloon around my hand or arm and hold the nozzel on the pump and press the button - which is right under my palm. I have done a lot of these and it works well.

• What I do is I wrap the balloon around my left index finger. Then I put the pump between my knees (just above them) and use them to hold the pump. Then I put the balloon on the pump with the help of my right hand and pump the balloon up with the right hand, the knees holding the pump and the left hand moves up and down with the right hand.

  I wrap the balloon around one or two fingers, (one makes a much tighter spiral) and then stick the pump between my thighs, well really almost my knees, just barely above them) or after you get it all wrapped up it can be fun to ask the person your making it for to help you pump it up!

• Magic Mike and Skiddles couldn't have said it better, heck I couldn't have explained it that well! Just remember to watch where the balloon goes while pumping. You have to move your left hand, if that's the hand you wrapped around, to guide the spiral so it looks like a spiral and not a pretzel! ;-p You'll need to practice some to get this down.

• Also, you might want to blow it up completely, straight, and let the air out first to stretch and this will help make the spiral come out longer.

• Spiraling with a pump: First, getting the balloon to spiral nicely is a knack that takes some practice no matter how you do it. My most complete description of it is in the book Balls and Balloons.

• With a 2 way hand pump it is possible to hold the body of the pump between your knees, pump with one hand and spiral with the other. This not only takes a fair amount of coordination, but it looks quite odd.

• Another way is to have a second person do the pumping. They should hold the handle/nozzle still and move the body of the pump while you spiral the ballooon.

• Another way is to have the balloon wrapped around a broomstick, the kid's arm (look out for popping in the face), whatever, and the end of the balloon held while you work the pump. I haven't been very successful at this method but I've talked to people who swear by it.

• If the balloon gets loose and flys around the room I call it my Tazmanian Devil.

• We use nitrogen (pressurized tank), a tilt-valve nozzle, and a broom stick.
  • Tightly wrap a 260 (smoothly, no kinks) around a broomstick by holding the neck and the broomstick with your right hand and coiling the 260 around the broomstick with your left hand. The tighter you wrap the balloon, the tighter and more even the spiral will be.
  • When you reach the end of the balloon, hold the broomstick and the end of the balloon with your left hand and hold the broomstick and the neck in your right hand. Fit the neck over the nozzle and begin inflating. If the balloon doubles onto itself, use your wrist to guide it - you're holding onto the end of the balloon the whole time.
  • I leave just a bit of a nub at the tail for expansion - slide the balloon off, lock off about an inch from the neck and tie it off.

  It does feel a bit awkward at first, but it's really quick once you get the hang of it.

• Here's another variation on a curly-Q: wrap the middle of the balloon around your finger with equal portions of the balloon straight before and after the wrap. Blown up it sort of resembles the end of a safety pin. I've used it in a number of ways on hats and stuff.

Uses for the Curly-Q

• Curly-Q's are often made when someone asks for a snake. If you want a tongue for your snake, leave a bit of the nozzle uninflated during the preinflation.

• Lazy S Spiral

  Try making the Vulcan "Live long and prosper!" hand sign. Using this hand configuration, grasp the nozzle of the balloon between the thumb and index finger. While stretching slightly, wind the balloon back and forth around the two finger groupings as per the illustration below. The nozzle should end up in the center, at the top, between the middle and ring fingers. BLOW! Add in your favorite twists and garnish w a Sharpie to your heart's content to make a snake any man-child would be proud to have.

                     nozzle
                       |
                       |
             / \  / \ \|/ / \  / \
            |   ||   |(O)|   ||   |
            |   ||   |___|___||___|
            |   ||   |_____________]
            |___||___|___|   ||   |
           [_____________|   ||   |
        __  |   ||   |___|___||___|
       |  \ |   ||   |_____________]
       |   \|___||___|__/   //   /
       |    [__________/   //   /
        \   |   ||   |/   //   /
         |  |   ||   |   //   /
         |                   /
          \                 /
           \               /
            \_____________/
  
  

• I have found that placing one spiral on the end of an umbrella handle/ critter leash/ whatever makes it easier for the kids to get a grip on the creation. You can also fasten it to their wrists more easily.

• You can release a Curly-Q at shoulder level where it will spin around like a pinwheel basically in one spot in the air. You can usually snatch it back and re-inflate it again 2 or 3 times. Hum as you blow up a Curly-Q. Tell the kids that when you let it go it will sing and do "The Twist." If it explodes, say that it was "pop music."

• I've found I can involve the audience in twisting sprials by wrapping the balloon around their arm and having them hold the tail. The kids just love it. Soon every one in line wants to do it to. Another trick with participation is doing thin inflation by having the child hold the tail while I step back strecthing the balloon. Until I came up with this I had trouble doing one balloon dino's and other twist that require a soft but long balloon.

Spirals

Multiple balloon inflations

• My best "trick" with balloons is inflating two in my mouth at once. On a good day, I can inflate as many as five (if they're all lined up just right). It really isn't harder to do than 1 balloon, you just have to line them up right and take a couple of breaths, instead of one. It looks very impressive and gets OOH'S and AAH'S from even the most skeptical, especially if they're in the process of trying to inflate one.

• I can inflate 5 260's at a time. For multiple inflations, it is all how well you can get them lined up in your mouth. I use my front teeth to gently grip them and then tug a bit to line the balloons up. hen just focus and go.

• When I blow up three, I place the nozzles in my mouth one at a time, just inside my lips, all touching. I then grasp them between my index and middle fingers of my left hand (I'm right handed) snug, but not tight, palm inward. I let the nozzles leave my mouth while, with my right hand, I hold the nipple ends out, slightly pulling so that the nozzles come to rest against the inside of my left hand's fingers. Sorry if this sounds redundant, but if I go over it in detail, I'll be sure not to miss any pertinent information. PUCKER UP!! Place the left hand against your lips VERY tightly (I mean VERY TIGHTLY!!!!!!!) and Blow!

• Mine usually start to inflate one at a time too. It seems to add to the overall effect. "Poof! Poof! POOF!" At this point, I hold my looks of pain. "Never let 'em see you cringe." As I let the air out of the balloons, I reach up with the pinky of my right hand and tweek the inside of my right ear, while tilting my head right, closing my right eye, fluttering my left eyelashes, AND opening my mouth, stretching my jaw so as to pop my ears as if in a high-rise elevator.

• In a related "impress your friends" note, after the 260 has a bubble in it, its not too hard to blow. So, put two or three 260's in your mouth and inflate them ALL at the same time.

The Flash Inflate or the Blast Method

• I thought I saw a magician blow a balloon really fast and asked him about it. He, of course, denied it, but he knew of the technique. Seems it was developed in Japan since they don't like to stick things into their mouths. While trying to explain it to the rest of the group I attempted to demonstrate. ONE SMALL PUFF and the entire balloon was inflated. To say it was fast is a bad understatement. It was as close to magic as ballooning can get. It was just there!

• One warning, this did hurt my cheeks the first few times when learning. I have a hard time controlling how much I inflate so I limit this to making monkeys and swords.

• What you do is literally use both hands to pull the mouth of the balloon open. It doesn't spread all that far, but you have to stretch it open as far as it will go. Now you have to pretend like you are going to play the trumpet (or blow a pea shooter), purse your lips and use the tip of your tongue to plug it. Build up pressure behind the tongue then snap the tongue back so the pressure can escape (of course, you have to be holding the mouth of the balloon to your mouth at this particular time). If it works, you don't see the balloon inflate. . . it just IS inflated. It makes a neat whooshing sound too which adds to the over all effect.

• One "gotcha" I found is it only works on never before inflated balloons. I've tried inflating balloons, letting the air out and trying again just for practice but it just won't inflate properly the second time.

Nose inflation

• Three balloons inflated at once is almost always followed by a "nose job." Just when they think they've seen it all, I take one of the three (preinflated) and blow by doze! sniff, sniff. The grand finale comes when I twist up a dog with said balloon and ask someone to check and see if pooch's nose is cold, cause I think it might be sick. Now that's sick!!!!

• As for the nose job, I think it's more technique than trunk (though I do have a rather big one). With my right hand, I rest the nozzle on my thumb, hold the rest of the balloon in my palm with my fingers closed around it. I flare my right nostril and place the nozzle at the very front of this flare. While placing my thumb against the nozztril, which is now in my right nosle. Wait a minute! I think I'm getting a bit mixed up. Anyway, holding it all together with nose, nozzle, and thumb on the right, with any digit from your left hand close off your left nostril and blow!

• How do you make a balloon dance?
  Put a little boogie in it!

Up Your Nose with a Rubber... What???

• Who says humans are smarter than animals? Frank Olivier swallows a balloon, makes it come out of his nose, and then blows it up out his nose. The way to learn this balloon trick is to sniff the end of a piece of dental floss up your nose. Then when it hits your throat cough it out your mouth. Then tie the dental floss to an animal balloon and use it to pull the balloon through your nasal passage.

• I saw someone do something like this at this last year's IJA (Int'l Jugglers Ass'n) convention in Las Vegas. Frankie Olivier performed on the Renegade Stage one night. He started by inhaling a bit of dental floss up a nostril (maybe an 18" piece). Then he spit up the end of it (out the mouth). Then did a short "nasal floss" demo, tied the nostril end of the floss to a balloon and fished that through, nipple end first. Then inflated the balloon, tied it off, and did the trick mentioned (squeezing the nozzle end to inflate the nipple end). Grossed the audience out pretty good. It was awesome!

• On a tape from Steven's, Todd Robins does the weirdest thing I ever saw with a balloon. He blows it up about 2 inches. He then takes the tail part proceeds to stick it in his nose!! He reaches into his mouth and pulls out the tail. He then squeezes the air in the part hanging out of his nose and has it inflate the part hanging out of his mouth!!! This would KILL on the birthday circuit!!!!

• Did anyone see the Penn and Tellerthon the other night. They had a guy on that did some really strange things... but in particular really grossed me out with what he did with a 260. He blew up about 6 inches of it and did an impression of a "tadpole" at first... then showed how he could make the bubble go from one end of the balloon to the other... then said that's no big deal in and of itself but then he realized he could do this with it: He then proceeded to stuff the uninflated end of the balloon up his nostril until he was able to pull it out of his mouth... thus leaving the inflated portion hanging from the nostril with the uninflated out of his mouth and from there squeezed the inflated end at his nostril till the air inflated the part coming from his mouth and went back and forth several times!!! I must say it totally grossed me out on this unique way of utilizing a 260!!! Now THAT should have been accompanied by a disclaimer to not try this at home as did most of the other things that was done on their show!! This is a great routine for appropriate functions.

• Some tips for learning. Start out with 160's. It is much easier to use a balloon with a bubble at the knot end as this keeps the uninflated part a bit stiffer and easier to push through. Lubricate the balloon well with saliva then just push it through your nostril and down until you feel it at the back of your throat, reach into your mouth and pull it forward. This is best practiced in private at first as the gag reflex can be quite strong and may have unintended results. Try with both nostrils and you will probably find that one is slightly bigger and more comfortable (I am left nostrilled, personally). 160's are OK for small groups but you will want to build up to 260's for bigger audiences. I can do condoms as well and am hoping to achieve 360's one day. From a health point of view, I would probably not recommend trying this trick although I have not experienced or heard of any ill effects. I certainly would not try it at a kid's party.

Other Tricks

• I learned from Neil Sklar that you don't need to get 160Q balloons if you don't want to. When stretched all the way and inflated all the way to the end, a 260 BECOMES a 160!!! I did find this version of the 160 a little harder to work with, but Neil showed me that with practice he now handles them with ease. This can be used to make devil horns much more pointy at one end than the other. If you hold one end of the balloon stretched as far out as you can and inflate, stopping before the end, it starts at one end looking like a 260 and the other looking more like 1" in diameter. Has a nice pointy effect.

• Exactly how does one 'deflate' a self sealed microfoil balloon? The simplest method is to insert a 'straw' or balloon stick up the valve and let the air escape. I put a book on it to help it along.

• We put a long balloon straw partially inside the hose of a vacuum cleaner and taped it in place and all around it so that the vacuuming was through the straw. (We taped the hose to the edge of a counter so that we could put the straw inside the balloon without having to juggle the hose and the balloon.) Put the straw inside the balloon and suck away. A word of warning: don't suck too far, or the balloon crinkles up. We found we could reuse several of the 20" rounds. As for the 36" Stars. we found that once we've deflated them, they never seems to hold well again.

Tying Knots

• After inflating the balloon, you may want to "burp" it by letting some air out of it before tying a knot. This softens the balloon a bit. An important point to keep in mind is that burping the balloon will not make it shorter if you've inflated it too much. It will only soften it.

• When I inflate 260's and 130's, I just make a little bubble about an inch or so from the nozzle and release the air in that bubble so I'll have lots of room to tie the balloon.

• David Hamilton was at the Iowa State Fair a couple years ago and used all one-handed knots in his show, as well as a simple 3-twist one-handed dog. After the show I asked about the knot and he showed me his method. Keep a long nozzle when you inflate, and before releasing the end from your mouth, wrap the nozzle around your index and middle fingers. Then roll the end of the balloon with the wrapped nozzle off the end of your fingers with your thumb, making a knot. It's the same principle as tying a knot in the end of a thread when you sew on a button.

• Marvin showed me a trick that helps prevent raw fingers when doing lots of tying. Start with the balloon a little further away from the tip of your index finger than you normally do. Roll it towards the tip of your index finger with your thumb, causing the nozzle to twist and become round like a piece of rope. When you get to the "roll the end of the balloon with the wrapped nozzle off the end of your fingers with your thumb," This already round, twisted nozzle rolls down your finger... with the greatest of ease.

• And speaking of tying knots, you can do various slapstick bits related to forgetting to tie the knot, tying the knot on the wrong end and tearing the balloon in half and giving the halves to the kid (which then go zooming off).

• Pearlized and metallic balloons are more difficult to tie than standard balloons and are rougher on the skin (which is probably why you had sore fingers your first job out).

• I tape up my fingers with Sport tape to prevent excessive skin wear and tear (ouch). It's great to protect the cuticles!

• I keep first aid tape in the tool box for my son who has this problem with fingers hurting.

• To avoid or reduce finger pain and speed up the tying, practice tying balloons by wrapping them around your finger nail area and not up at the knuckle.

• I suggest clear tape wrapped around the areas where you are most likely to hurt your fingers (before you start tying, of course). It helps a little.

• Are your fingers getting raw and blistered from tying or are the joints in your fingers getting stiff? A solution for raw fingers is to take medical or duct tape and tape up your tying fingers before you start a big project. You need tape that is sticky enough to stay on your fingers, but not too sticky that it rips off your skin when removing.

• For sore, stiff fingers, you may want to purchase the first QBN video where they present a good technique for tying (too difficult for me to explain, probably easier to watch it). Start learning the professional techniques now, especially before you start training a crew (i.e. family members). If they learn it the right way the first time, you will be very thankful as it's much easier than trying to break old habits. Tying balloons into duplets gets much easier with a little practice.

• Also your fingers will build up strength through repetition (that doesn't mean they won't still stiffen up they day after a HUGE job).

• I have just become aware of a balloon knotting device. I don't know how old it is, but it is made by H & M Enterprises in Cookeville, Tn (615) 526-1129. It is a hard plastic device that slips over the fingers with an extension coming out of the palm of your hand. I bought some last week and my crew absolutely loves them. I first saw this device at IBAC 12. It was demonstrated at one of the booths at the Trade show across the street. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to figure out how to use this when I want to tie a ribbon into the knot of the balloon so I can "slide and size" the ribbon length. Otherwise, it's a great hand saver, but not as quick as the "over the thumb" method for me.

• At a ballon show in London I saw a firm, ZIBI I think, selling gizmos to help tie balloons so I got one to try out. It's basically a grooved, tapered stick with a split in the end, and it takes a bit of getting used too. I personally don't think I'll use it often, but there are times where my tying fingers get sore where it would be useful. It may be useful for anyone who finds tying a problem.

• Marvin Hardy taught me how to make my own "knot tying gadget." You take a short length of pvc pipe. Starting at one end, cut off a 4" long, wedge-shaped piece of the top half of the pipe. Discard the 4" piece. Taper the cut edge to form a "scoop" and sand the edges. To use this tool to tie knots in balloons, hold the pipe section as a handle and wrap the inflated balloon nozzle around the tapered end. Tuck in the rolled lip, then slide the balloon off the pipe - voila, you have a knotted balloon. It even works on 3 footers. If you feed arch line through the pvc pipe you can tie the balloons for a string of pearl arch right on the line using this gadget. It works great!

• West Winds http://westwinds.com sells two different products:
  • "SNAPPY KNOTZ" a new hand held balloon tying tool for small decorating jobs or for sale to retail customers using balloons, and
  • "Snappi Seal," an automatic latex balloon sealing machine which seals latex balloons in 1.5 seconds using special tape.

• You can also check out these tools and supplies to tie balloons:
  • http://www.knotaballoon.com/
  • http://americancustom.com/knotty/knotty.htm
    Knotty - Balloon Tying Aid
    Address: 1210 North Willow Ave
    Cookeville, TN, 38501
    Phone: (615) 520-8610
    Email: acs@multipro.com
    
  • http://www.balloonhouse.com/device.html
• Finally, here's a self-sealing balloon that doesn't need tying:
  • http://www.neosoft.com/~gayla/selfseal.html
  TYING

• West Winds has a new "automatic latex balloon sealing machine" which seals latex balloons in 1.5 seconds! No leakage. The system also has the ability to attach ribbon the same time the balloon is being sealed. Unit attaches to a helium cylinder and seals the balloon with a strong adhesive strip. Doesn't distract from the balloon! Suggested retail price is $159.50. Check out the product on our website http://westwinds.com . IT'S A REAL TIME SAVER. IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO SEAL OVER 2000 BALLOONS IN AN HOUR! E-mail westwind@apk.net or call us for more information 1-800-783-8590. Distributor inquiries welcome.

• Do you use discs, clips or hand tie the balloons?

• We have found it fastest to hand tie them, but it could be because that's what we're used to.

• Hand tying has always been fastest with me too, do what works for you.

• My husband and I found that hand tying is absolutely the fastest and safest way to insure a good seal with our balloons. We don't do a lot of delivery, but I hand tie and lay the ribbon over the knot so that it slides freely and then tie a little extra knot so that it won't slip while outside.

• I learned about making your own "knot tying gadget" from Marvin Hardy. You take a length of one inch - schedule 40 pvc pipe and cut the top half of about 4" off one end of the pipe. Then you taper the bottom half off to form a sort of scoop and sand the edges. You wrap the inflated balloon around the tapered end, tuck in the tail, then slide it off the pipe and you have a tied 16" balloon. It also works on 3 footers. If you feed arch line through the pvc pipe you can also tie the balloons for a string of pearl arch right on the line using this gadget. It works great!

• You might also consider using the plastic discs that are about the size of a quarter. I have not used them in several years, but they were always good for staff members who just could not "stretch" the necks of the 16" balloons. I know Conwin carried them, so check your distributors. Remember these are about the size of a quarter and have a hole in the center. You do not want the ones that are the same size, but have a slit from the edge to the center.

• There is a WONDERFUL device called "knot-a-balloon" sold by Flowers, Inc Balloons I used it to do a 300 balloon drop for the 4th of July, and believe me, I am buying one for every assistant!!!!!!!!!!

• I have tried the "Knot-A-Balloon". Dolly has them on hand specifically for the staff who find it tough to tie 16" latex and also when knotting thousands for a balloon drop. You can become very quick with them after a little practice. No sore or bleeding fingers. A great tool to have for those balloons that strip the cuticles. Made by : H & M Enterprises - Tennessee (615) 526-1129

• I have tried a "Knot-a-Balloon" and I loved it!! I used it on my first large decorating gig, and have purchased one for anyone that helps me ever since.

• I found one thing that made a huge difference in preventing sore fingers. Leave more slack while tying the knot. I was stretching a tiny portion of balloon around my fingers to make the knot. My fingers got sore real quick. If I tie a looser knot, and use more balloon while doing it, my fingers NEVER hurt. You can always roll the knot down towards the nozzle, if needed.

• How much you inflate the balloon is critical. Leave about a half-inch of balloon uninflated for each twist you'll have to make. If you end up without enough air in the balloon, you can make adjustments by reducing the size of some segments. If the balloon is too full of air, your creation may pop before you finish it. Always hold the balloon about one inch from the lip end as you inflate it; this will make it easier to tie.

• Wrap N Tie - the sore finger solution!! If you have not ordered or you need more information on our solution to tying latex balloons, e-mail us at Balloonjoy@aol.com

Why blow up a balloon with a pump?

• Pump Disadvantages:
  
• Pump Testamonials
  
• Cheater,Cheater...
  

• Using a pump is better for your health than mouth inflating.

• With a pump, the kids can help you blow up the balloons so they feel that they are participating in making the creation. The older kids can fill and twist their own balloons.

• With a pump, a defective balloon won't pop in your eye.

• A pump helps limit the spread of germs (germ warfare) when you're physically ill.

• It's more "sanitary." There's no moisture or condensation in the balloon. In restaurants I keep as much as I can out of my mouth. It doesn't look quite right biting on a balloon that you are about to give out. Also, my post-pop airborne saliva seems inappropriate as a condiment or dressing for the customers' vittles.

• I use a pump all the time for safety reasons. I do a lot of kid shows. I always tell kids not to put the balloons in their mouths, so I don't want the kids to see me putting balloons in my mouth. If the kids see you putting your mouth on a balloon, they will put their mouth on the balloon. If the kids _don't_ see you blowing up or even sticking balloons in your mouth, they will assume they shouldn't either. The possibility of the balloon popping in their mouth is wonderful potential for choking and lawsuits!

• I have asthsma, and blowing balloons up by mouth just isn't an option.

• I have glaucoma, and blowing balloons up by mouth could be dangerous to my sight.

• The potential of breathing in the powder that they put in the balloons is not for me - I have enough breathing problems already.

• Pumps allow you to keep talking while the balloons are being inflated. A pump frees your mouth to interact with customers. I use my pump on large jobs, if for no other reason than the fact that I can keep up a steady line of verbal 'shtick' with the kids.

• Not as much stamina is required for l-o-n-g ballooning stints with a pump. I pull out the pump when I am doing a lot of balloons or am getting winded.

• A big pump also gives you a physical barrier between you and your audience. This could be beneficial with that rough crowd. . . just hold it up as a weapon and tell them to watch out or you'll blow them all away.

• There are at least three very good reasons not to blow balloons by mouth when working with either twisting or round balloons:
  1. Development of sensitivities to Latex on lips and mouth area - plus possible inhalation of the powers used in production can get into the lungs.
  2. Rupturing the blood vessels of the eyes.
  3. The extreme pressure put onto the abdominal area can cause small blood vessel ruptures, in severe cases - this can cause doctors to suspect intestinal cancer.

  However, being from the olden days - - there is nothing quite so fantastic as watching an balloon artist do it all from start to finish with no pump. In the long run all thing change. I have seen many fantastic balloon performers who talk with the kids about the safety of balloons and being careful. They make it part of the act and part of the fun and excitement of the creative process. Many areas of our society think that insulation from dangers of balloons, drugs, and unprotected sex is the answer. I think comunication, conversation and education is the better choice. If we fail to be the educators, we give the media the power to be the spokesmen about the safety and the use or banning of our products and our potential livelihood.

• The Qualatex(tm) package does say on it "Do not inflate by mouth," yet people expect you to blow up balloons by mouth. So it is our resposibility to change their way of thinking. We have got to find a new, CREATIVE way of blowing up balloons which will make them forget of the old way. When I used to blow a whole balloon by mouth ( which took me 3 months to learn how without blowing my brains out :-) people would shout "WOW!","HOW'D YOU DO THAT?" My reply would be "I don't smoke." I figured this would give a good message.

• The key is to get a good pump which fits with your character and that you *enjoy* using. I use two different pumps, depending on where I'm performing. Most often I use my Balloon Buoy (made by Ed Rohr). It's small, lightweight, fast, and loud enough to attract all the attention I want. I introduce the pump in my act as a funny prop before I ever blow up a balloon with it. This way, when the audience sees what I'm using it for, there's no ho-hum reaction at all. It just belongs.

• You are always telling kids not to put a balloon in their mouth because they might choke, YET you are standing there with a balloon in your mouth. What message is this giving the kids? It's like drinking a beer while you tell your kid "now don't drink alcohol." You are giving kids a mixed message there. I used to blow by mouth for 25 years until one night in a restaurant I told a 6 year old kid not to put the balloon in his mouth. He said "well you just did." It hit me like a ton of bricks. I've used a pump ever since. Maybe I should design a pin that says "OUT OF THE MOUTH OF PEOPLE". While I'm on the balloons in mouth subject... A while ago some of us brought up the idea of having the balloon companies put a "bad Taste" agent on balloons except around the lip area. I am thinking of persuing this with the balloon companies. I want to hear pros and cons about doing this.

• I've been a long-time advocate of the "lung power" school of twisting. Its quick, convenient, and those little stars that start to float in front of my eyes are kind of pretty... BUT, I got a bit of a cold this weekend and had two parties to do. While I felt fine about sneezing on the kids (kind of a sweet revenge sort of thing, for all the kids that have coughed in my face...), I just didn't have the wind I usually do so I got out the old PumpO and limbered it up. At first, I felt pretty awkward, but I got used to that pretty quickly. What amazed me was the kids' reactions (first group 6 year olds, second was 8-9 year olds). They loved the pump! They thought the noise it made was cool, and with the balloon inflating up instead, of down or to the side, there were lots of ohhhs and ahhhs as the balloon inflated. I've never before had comments about how big or long the balloon is. I suspect that the pump will be a part of my group twisting from now on.

• Get a pump for the really big gigs. I can blow by mouth for a long time, but not all day. And not nearly as fast as I want to to keep the line from getting too long. I have the Pump 1 from T Meyer and wouldn't do a corporate gig without it. I use it any time I want to make figures in less than five minutes (I'm doing 3-5 balloon creations). There's some entertainment value in blowing by mouth, but most of the entertainment comes from how you interact with the customers while building their sculpture. After seeing a person inflate 10 or so, the "wow!" factor is significantly diminished.

• You can do cool pump tricks like this:

• Levitation - A steady stream of air from any source will float a small, light, round object and lock it in position over the stream of air. John does this with lung power and a ping pong ball. I do it with a 3 inch round made from 350 leftovers. I use my Pump1 or a fully inflated 350. The balloon ball floats about a foot above the nozzle. If you use a 350 for the air source, you can 'tow' the floating ball all over the living room...uh...I mean, stage.

• The Pump1 and PumpO, when clean and lubricated, slide down on their own weight. This causes a light stream of air that can float a small balloon (like a 3" round bubble with the knot trimmed.) It is an interesting and curious activity if you find yourself with wait time. I expect the Pogo air stream could float something very light.

• General The pogo is big, gaudy and attracts attention and conversation when table-hopping. Since I did away with the inner rubber return "spring", I can set the pump down as I arrive at a table and it will slowly drop to its lowest position, since I carry it from the bottom of the big tube. This extends it to its tallest as gravity pulls the stand down. This sinking movement usually causes the customers to notice it out of the corner of their eye. Most of the time they think its falling over and they grab for it. Or, they're startled by this "thing" moving all by itself. Either way, its fun and starts the interaction. I also use Bruce Kalver's schtick about the pump being a giant pepper mill or parmesan cheese grinder. I also blow air at little kids' hair to demonstrate how it works. I never shoot it in their faces. I've actually been asked how often I have to replace the CO2 cartridge inside!!

Pump Disadvantages:

• Lack of portability, slightly slower, can break down.

• The kids love my Pump-O and it does draw a crowd. My biggest problem is getting the kids to leave the pump alone. I usually tell them in a nice way not to touch it because it breaks easily, and that I won't be able to make any more balloons if the pump breaks. This works about 50 percent of the time.

• When kids are left to their vices, they will always play with your pump, no matter how many times you tell them not to, and this leads to breakdown too. Floor pumps get dirty easily cuz the kids love to stand on the base.

• My biggest problem is getting the kids to leave the pump alone. I got a hoolahoop and stand in the middle of it. That is my "space" and they have to stand on the outside of it.

Pump Testamonials

• I use a Pogo 90 percent of the time, but still blow them up orally whenever challenged or called a cheater. I also do it when I am walking around a table and have left the pump at the other end of the table. When I started (1969), there were no pumps available (as far as I knew) so you blew 'em up or found something else to do. I've had headaches. I've had eye pain. I like using both methods and find that the pump isn't all that slow, once you get the rhythm of getting the nozzle over the inflation tip and doing the actual pumping.

• Another thing I like about using both methods is the ability to use both kinds of comedy. I can use the mouth-blowing gags and the pump gags too! Plus, it eases the boredom of doing the same thing every time. And the security of knowing I can still do the gig if my pump breaks is very comforting.

• For me blowing them up is faster because the pumps just slow me down. I have worked large events with another twister who uses a pump, and I have found that for the most part we make about the same amount of creations in the same amount of time. However, I can work faster for the first hour, whereas she can work at a consistent speed the whole time.

• I've been inflating by mouth - ever since my one pump (a Q 2 way) broke in the midst of an event. The rest of that event all I did was mice, tulips, and small poodles - none of those big 'ol parrot hats. Now, I always carry at least two pumps if I'm going to be using them and not inflating by mouth.

• Here's a solution to this whole mouth vs. pump problem. Just ponder these questions yourself and then decide which direction you want to go.
  • Would you rather decorate your mouth or your pump with little pictures of the balloon animals that you do?
  • Can you still inflate and talk effectively by mouth if you have a tip container hanging from your lower lip?
  • You miss all those great jokes about pumps.

• Of course there are down sides.
  • Your mouth rarely gets hung up in the x-ray machine at airports. (Did you ever try to check a Pogo? For some real fun, take a trip to another country with one of those little palm pumps and watch the gathering of customs officials as they try to figure out what it is but won't dare ask. If they're really curious, they might go so far as to bring the drug sniffing dogs out to inspect it. Yes, this really happened. Now you know why T. "DRIVES" all over the country!)

  • If you use a pump, no one ever says "My, that's an impressive pair of lungs you have there".

  • 3 out of 4 times, the children at the table won't want to play with your mouth.

• First, as many of you know, there are several pumps out there on the market, as well as our very own home grown in our own body respiratory ones. :) We are all very different with our own personal preferences and experiences through out the years of entertaining, so opinions on this will, of course, vary greatly. No one thing is set in stone or is the absolute BEST for every one of us. Now with that said...

  I have several pumps... from T's pogo pump, pump1, the hand held faster blaster, to balloon buoy rechargeable and Cheezo's pouch pump to my newest addition of The Balloon Masters floor model. Most of which I still use. Following is my own personal review of the pumps I have based upon my usage of them in the well over 200 shows per year in which I perform.

  Each pump has its specific usefulness for specific venue. ie... I no longer use the battery operated pumps in restaurant situations as the noise simple prohibits continuing conversations during the time to blow up the balloons and, as fun as it can be, is offensive to some people wanting a bit quieter of a dinner.

  I find the rechargeable pumps much better suited for outdoor venues or even large indoor carnival type events. Cheezo's pouch pump is at the top of my list for these. The battery NEVER runs out of a charge! This thing has lasted me for over 5 hours at a clip. It does get heavy though, so if weight is a problem balloon buoy does do OK if you make sure to bring along a spare completely charged battery or two. I found it more convenient for me to just switch positions of Cheezo's pump from strapped over my shoulder to the other shoulder to even around my waist, then to have to stop to change batteries which were an extra thing to have to carry along anyway. Cheezo's battery does take a bit longer to charge as it holds the charge longer, so just make sure you put it on to charge the evening before you have a long gig.

  The hand held faster blaster is a GREAT little pump. It pumps air on both strokes so takes half the work of most hand pumps to fully inflate a 260. I use this a lot while on stilts and don't want to sling the heavier pump on my shoulder. I just attach a balloon to the end of it and to the end of me to make sure if I loose my grip on it, it doesn't fall to the floor. This is also a great little pump to bring along with you if you prefer not to blow up by mouth but like to keep balloons handy where ever you go "just in case" you might want to make someone you meet a balloon. I always keep a spare one with me just in case my main pump I have for the event breaks somehow.

  Now this next commentary is going to be a tough one, cause T, I love ya... and I know what a great job you do with your pumps... but I have to say, I am using my new pump from Balloon Masters the very most. It is an absolutely wonderful design and terrific pump!! (and I am NOT getting paid to tell you all this either) You can pick up the Balloon Masters pump with just one hand and carry it with you anywhere... no more strap to hold it together. It is also extremely light weight and yet I have found it to be one tough pump!! It blows up a 260 with just one pump... The handle design is great... I have found it wonderful to hang my stickers from to give out to each child that gets a balloon, as well as a little bag that I keep my extra little toys that I buy from T Meyers.. (which, btw, I highly recommend. T has great alternatives for our little ones too young for a balloon.) This pump from The Balloon Masters Really is GREAT. I use it for more venues (from birthdays to restaurant work to trade shows) than any of my other pumps put together. I highly recommend checking it out. It is also one of the most reasonably priced of balloon pumps on the market that I am aware of.

  All of the pumps I have mentioned above I am able to blow up 160's with as well. You just have to get used to getting them over the nozzle... it can be done and quickly once you get the hang of it.

  Well, I hope this has been of some help to those that were asking the questions about pumps.

  Below are a list of links to the sites I am aware of that you can go to to take a look at the products I have mentioned.

  • index.html at home.communique.net - This is The Balloon Masters site
  • T. Myers Magic, Inc. Balloon, Clown and Facep... - T's site of course
  • Clown Supplies, Inc. - Cheezo's pump can be found here.
  • Albert the Stickerman - where I get my clown/magician stickers from.

  I am not aware of a site specifically for the Balloon Buoy pump, however, I THINK you can check it, as well as the faster blaster I mentioned, out thru TMeyers.

• I recommend PUMP1 and PUMP0 by T. Myers - no battery, and they still just keep on pumping and pumping and pumping....

• I have two battery pumps from the Edwards Group. They are the best battery pumps that I have tried out of three different ones. Less noise and the battery lasts the longest. His phone # is 609-488-7584. He is in New Jersey.

• I used to inflate my 260s by mouth for 14 years, then decided to try pumps, and I have 3 of TMyers pumps now, Pump O, Pump 1, and Pogo, and I swear by them. They are quiet, you can put your ad on them, or your balloon designs, they attract attention to you, they prove you are real pro who knows what he is doing, and many times I have had people come up and ask if it is helium, or compressed air, so if you ever get tired, or need a break from the never-ending mob, you just say, sorry, I seem to have run out of air on my machine, and they would believe it, althousgh I have never done that. Also, they need no recharging, and can go on for 14 hours without a problem, just need to add a little lubricant spray from time to time.

• I've gotten myself to use my pump more, just to save energy when I have multiple parties in one day of have a long gig, like a festival. Sometimes it definitely pays to inflate by mouth so I can get the line down faster, and I can leave on time. I get plenty of jokes about "great lungs", "You don't smoke, huh?" because they're so impressed I can even do it. However, I DO NOT inflate metallics by mouth, only in a pinch, because it's just way too hard and takes too much energy--I LOVE MY PUMP FOR THE METALLICS!

Cheater,Cheater...

• If I'm not in the mood to inflate by mouth, and someone decides they have to question my manhood by asking why I'm using a pump, I would hand them a balloon and request they inflate the next one for me. If that doesn't keep em busy and quiet for a while, and they actually DO inflate it, then I would ask them to imagine doing that 5 or 6 hundred more times tonight. Usually they smile and give no more problems.

• We have to find a way to get the same reactions from the public with a new way. A pump - "Hohum, he uses a pump." The shmuck can't blow a balloon up. [Your favourite one-liner on pumps] What an excuse. That is exactly the reaction we entertainers don't want. You want to entertain the person from when you blow the balloon up until you give it to that person. If some Balloon-company could manufacture a creative way to pump up balloons, we should buy it. Maybe we should give them ideas. I have a magician friend who has a Teddy-bear with a air hose in its mouth. The bear sits on his table. When the balloon goes to the bear's lips, the magician pumps it up with his foot. THE KIDS LOVE IT. Point made?

• I don't see a problem with a creative one-liner, or even a story (humorous or otherwise) explaining your use of a pump. (The line I have used all these years is "I'am a clown not a fool!") As long as you have a good pump that matches the high quality of your act, it can fit in quite well.

• I build on and play off of a customer's reaction to my pump. Them: "Hey, you're cheating.." ( NASCAR racing is big around here so) Me: "You're darn right... I was right there on Gordon's bumper into the last turn at Daytona... tried to make a balloon animal... blew out a lung... right into the wall... BANG!... do you think I'm going to chance that again... no way!"

• When someone gives me a hard time about my pump, I usually respond that I do a lot of hospital visitation on the cancer floor, and the kids, or adults for that matter, can't have my germs on their balloons. Its a matter of cleanliness. (Besides, who wants clown spit on their balloons!) (smile) When I tell it like this (as it happens to be true), people think about it and really appreciate your caring about their health and not spreading germs. I have never had a negative response when explaining my use of a pump like this. In fact, I usually get complimented on my thoughtfulness and consideration. I know as a mom myself, I really wouldn't appreciate a stranger putting my child's balloon in their mouth. Also it helps in setting a good example to kids whom you have just told to make sure to never put a balloon in their mouths if they see you don't either.

• As I prepare to use my balloon buoy pump I say that there is a little magic person that helps me out. Before they hear the noise for the first time I caution everyone to stand back and not be scared. For some reason the laughs are even better after this. I follow with "whoops, I guess he needs a new muffler" - laughter from the kids, groans from the adults.

• "Hey, you're cheating!"
  Do you really want me to give something to a kid that I've had in my MOUTH??? Never, never, never, ever, put a balloon in your mouth for ANY reason! - That's dangerous!

• "You tell children not to put a balloon in your mouth yet you stand there putting balloons in your mouth. What are you teaching them? It's like the doctor who stands there puffing on a cigarette, and he tells you to stop smoking."

• Whenever someone tells me "I'm cheating"; I ask them if they drove to the restraunt or if they jogged. It takes a second to sink in. I just smile and keep twisting. :-)

• THAT'S CHEATING!
  (To Man ) Do I tell you how to inflate your blow-up doll?

• I say "I used to blow the balloons up by mouth, but one popped and the whole line ran for cover. The balloon wilts everytime I try to blow it up! I don't think anyone would want my breath in their balloon."

• Those are the lines I use, sometimes just one sometimes all of them delivered "Rodney Dangerfield" style. I don't get any respect!

• I mention to them that I used to blow them up by mouth but had to stop when after a long while of inflating them with my mouth I would start seeing balloon colors in my bag that weren't really there. Like plaid and paisley!

• I answer them with this remark, "Hey there ain't enough of us ballooners out here making people smile as it is. I think that they should use a pump if they can't or don't want to do it the way I do. All I can say is the pump adds MORE POWER TO `EM.".

• Everytime someone says, "you're cheating" which is at least once a night I take out an uninflated 260 (usually one of the tougher ones, like the metallics) and make an offer. I tell him (usually it's a guy) that if he can fully inflate the balloon on the first try that I will buy him a beer. In the past 3 years I have bought only 1 beer. Usually I get a huge apology after these big strappin' guys nearly blow their brains out trying to inflate it to get a free beer. The funniest part is when the smart guy sitting next to him tells him, "all ya' gotta do is stretch it...." Try it, it always gets a laugh.

• "Where are you from? Boston? Did you walk here or take a car? A Car? YOU CHEATED!"

• Here is what I do. Before I start my first balloon I say "Watch me blow up a balloon the old fasion way" - and I blow my first balloon by mouth. I then say "Now watch me do it while hoding my breath". I then use a pump. I get some laughs/groans. I then use the pump for the rest of the job. They now know that I can do it if I wanted to. Not that I have to apologize for using a pump, but this avoids some of the negative remarks.

• "Who says Cheetas' never prosper!" lol! They laugh every time!

• Once I replied "yeah, some people can blow these things up without a problem. It always impresses me." On that, I grabbed two balloons and inflated them at once. "I guess it's something I should practice." Several mouths hung open, but no words came out. This is a great feat!! I do it rarely, except when I want to "blow" someone away.

• Pumps have great potential for entertainment. Besides dressing up the pump, you can use it in your show. Personally, I rarely use my pump to actually inflate balloons, but I bring it along because it's a good visual prop, and I have some good material that I use it for. Here are some ideas that I use:

  I explain that these long skinny things are special balloons. They are very hard to blow up. It takes lots and lots of practice to be able to blow them up. That makes my business very hard to get into! Therefore, I bring along a super-special-custom-made-balloon-blowing-machine!

  I call it the Ferrari of balloon pumps, and just like a high performace car, this high performance pump needs the delicate touch of an artist. Like myself.

  Then I do the gag where I blow up the balloon, but release my grip on it and it flies away. I act embarassed, and next act 'very careful' as I inflate the next balloon.

  I do that that by slowly inflating the balloon, and get a big grin as it fills. I grin at the audience, and ignore the fact that the balloon deflates as the pump goes down.

  In my show, I get mad at the pump, and say to it, "so much for being delicate, can you do this!" and inflate the balloon my mouth so it pops. Audiences love watching balloon pop in your face. But I don't recommend doing it more than once. It hurts!

  Think of the pump as a new prop, and your stage character should be able to find uses for it. If your character is goofy, you can do tons of clown gags. If your magic character is the smooth kind in a tux and tails, you can start to look at the balloon, and then say, "I'm putting this thing in my mouth." No proper gentleman would.

  Or, you could be honest and say, "check out my pump. That means we can talk while I make balloons, and I won't run out of breath!"

• When I am actually doing a performance or routines, I incorporate the pump by making it one of the props of the story. So far it has been many things:
  • a wizard`s magic sceptre of living balloon generation (I combine it with a small flask of ancient balloon skeletons suspended in magic ether i.e. uninflated balloons)
  • a butcher`s sausage machine
  • a blacksmith`s metal bar machine and several other things
  • My small 160Q blaster has been a Jedi`s lightsabre (it actually looks like one).

  The idea is: think of some kind of apparatus or tool that would fit in your routines and make the pump that tool. Embellish it if need be (stickers or whatever). I am sure your audience will not have a problem with this. There will always be those that try to make fun because you are not mouth-inflating. Ignore them. I never felt mouth inflating to be essential for twisting except for the bulkiness of hand pumps, and since I got the small blaster, that problem is solved, too.

Balloon pumps

• Hand pumps
  
• Palm pumps
  
• 130 Blaster
  
• Euro pump or Faster Blaster
  
• 260 Blaster
  
• Qualatex AirInflator
  
• Pump T
  
• Other hand pumps that work for inflating balloons
  
• Floor pumps
  
• Pump O
  
• Pump 1
  
• Pogo Pump
  
• The Invincible Free Standing Balloon Pump
  
• The Amuzemetist
  
• The Filbert Pump
  
• Convert-A-Pump
  
• Balloon Master
  
• Making Your Own Pump
  
• Living, breathing pumps
  

Hand pumps; those inexpensive, usually disposable tools for balloon inflating and how to use them.

• Our dream pump:
  1. is not too expensive
  2. doesn't break
  3. doesn't make a lot of noise
  4. is small, light weight and easily portable
  5. inflates the balloon with little effort

• One must apply proper technique when pumping. Snapping several pumps in a single day (which really isn't anyone's fault since the pumps don't come with any instructions) means you are not applying the proper technique. It takes a little fiddling with any new tool before you can feel comfortable with it and be able to utilize it as an extension of yourself. Even using a hammer takes practice. Here are some tips:

• I put a skinny balloon on a pump nozzle by holding the lips of the balloon lightly between my thumb and forefinger. Once the edge of the nozzle starts into the lips of the balloon I just roll the lips on over the pump nozzle. Some people quickly pull the lips open with both hands, but it seems very awkward to me.

• Hold the pump around the cylinder. If you cover the air holes on the end of the pump, it will not work.

• Don't push sideways while pumping! As the piston rod moves out, it increases the leverage of any side force that your hand may be exerting on the nozzle. You need to pay attention to pumping in and out in a straight line. The less strength your arms have the more difficult it is to apply force only in a straight line.

• Each stroke should be just short of hitting the end of the cylinder. If you are using the pump to tell you when to change direction, you are bumping the internal piston into the end caps, and your pump will not last. It is easier on the pump if they do not hit. Learn how long a stroke is by starting with quick short strokes and working out.

• The typical hand pump will put large visible ripples into the inflated balloon. Any stop/start during inflation will affect the resulting shape of a long skinny balloon. It depends on the balloon, the pump, the pumper, how closely you look and how much you care. Trying to keep the air flowing evenly is all you can do. Usually, if I get any ripples, it's only one or two, and, generally it's my own fault (sub-standard pump technique), and the ripples are never evident by the time I'm done twisting my animal. A palm pump does not produce ridges. It does, however, leave your hand very sore.

• Quickly changing direction while pumping cuts down on the lost air between 'puffs.' The 2-way hand pump is an ingenious invention. In one version the O-ring on the piston moves axially in its groove to make a seal on one side of the groove and allows air to travel past it on the other side of the groove and into the center tube. Each time the pumping direction changes, the O-ring has to seat on the other side of the groove in order for it to seal and allow the device to pump air. Quickly changing direction while pumping helps the O-ring rapidly make a new seal.

• The out stroke is usually less efficient. The out stroke has a smaller effective pumping area than the in stroke because the piston rod takes up some space. The out stroke also has 3 places to seal compressed air, and the in stroke only has 2.

• These cheap plastic pumps are just that. They are disposable. Buy lots of them and be surprised when one lasts a year. The old blue Qualatex Hand pumps were notorious for breaking immediately. The purple ones are better. The purple pumps have a nozzle hand piece that comes off. The center tube has a rubber washer and two pins. When the handle is pushed on, the pins follow a slot, and, when the handle is turned sideways, the pins lock into a notch. There are little arrows on the black handle that many people never see. Sometimes the handle comes off by accident. Glue it on with plastic cement or super glue.

• The cost of making a good heavy duty pump doesn't yet fit the size of the market. (My large hand pump is $50 because each piece is made one at a time.) It will. I'm working on a heavy duty 2-way pump, but it will be expensive too. The market needs to get bigger to support the expense of molds and large runs to make a less expensive heavy duty pump.

• One thing I don't like about hand pumps is that using one requires keeping both hands on the pump. When working in a packed dining room, I want a hand on the balloon to keep it away from patrons, waitstaff, and places the balloon shouldn't be. When inflating by mouth, a floor pump, an electric pump or a cylinder of compressed air, I can keep both hands on the balloon.

Palm pumps

• Palm pumps are squeeze bulbs with a one-way valve in the nozzle. They are good for inflating 130's, or starting a bubble in a 260 for continuing by mouth. It takes about 50 squeezes to inflate a 260 with a palm pump, giving you plenty of time to talk to your customers as you develop carpal-tunnel syndrome. It's small enough to fit in your pocket or purse, tucked inside a bag of balloons. A palm pump does not produce ridges in the balloon. It does, however, leave your hand very sore.

• From my own experience and from observing some of the 'greats' at work, I'd say that using a palm pump to repeatedly _fully_ inflate many, many 260's is not really what the palm pump was designed for. You could literally squeeze squeeze squeeze squeeze squeeze squeeze that thing forever! Instead, use it to get started! One squeeze - poof, a small bubble is b