Is it safe to attempt blowing up a balloon without a pump. How do I start? It would be nice to free my hands completely to be able to be a bit more creative with my animals. There is a gentleman here who does amazing balloon animals and he is able to create these amazing things, but he does alot of ripping an tearing with his teeth.

Myself on the other hand would have to have a pump and a pair of scissors. That's pretty awkward. Any suggestions?

I just learning myself Tiff, and I finally got my lungs used to doing at least a few balloons at a time, then taking a little rest.

First, make sure you stretch the balloon. Two three four times, make a little patter of it.

I usually let the other side go after I've stretched it out, and POP! OUCH! it hits my other hand, and the kids usually get a kick out of that.

I even sometimes have kids help me stetch them out, but only with younger kids because I don't want the older ones pulling too hard.

After it's stretched, using your diaphram, force the air from your lungs, and hold your cheeks a little tight. It may take a time or two, but it actually gets easier the more you do it.

I'm starting to carry around balloons with me everywhere I go to help spread joy and laughter.

I think my wife is FINALLY getting used to it...:)

I've been blowing up balloons by mouth for 20 years or so.
(I used to carry ballons with me everywhere - to the grocery
store, airport - you name it.)

It is my preferred way to inflate balloons, since the warmth
and moisture in your breath helps to make the balloon more
pliable...

I've forgotten what it was like to just get started, but...

Stretching the balloon before is good.
Stretch the ballon ever so lightly while you are blowing is also a help.
(Pull on the balloon just a few inches from the nozzle in your mouth)

You can use your jaw muscles to help force a small bubble in to start,
and that small bubble acts as a wedge to help inflate the balloon.

That being said, I'm trying to get away from balloons all together because
they are a choking hazard. Also, with balloons inflated by mouth
there is the spreading of germs when the balloon pops.

I want to get away from the balloons and free myself up to entertaining
the folks by my clown abilities, and not just be tied to balloons.

I guess since I'm a safety clown, I worry about these things. I also worry about
small "gimmees" - because they can be a choking hazard.
Anything that will fit through a cardboard toilet paper tube is too small to give
out to anyone younger than 3.

Take a deep breath, pult the balloon in your lips, and hold the ballon with your fingers anpurse your lips. The real trick is to pull the balloon and you blow. This will get the first bubble started.
Do not blow in one breath, don't even try it, you need to blow them up gradually, don't be afraid to do it in several breaths. Also let a little air out after you blow it up, burp it so to speak.

Even thhough Ican blow them up by mouth I never do because you cant tell a kid not to put it in their mouth if you are doing it .
Aslo like Ashes I never give balloons to children under three this sometimes can make a parent mad (the dumb ones) but I can live with that

I wholeheartedly agree with Jams. You can't very well tell kids not to when you are standing there blowing it up. :roll:
That said, I started blowing them up by mouth again because I was challenged to do it. A clown friend handed me one and I couldn't do it. and being a man; this bothered me because at one time I could 8) .
Tiff, what could work for you is the little pump that Qualatex makes that looks like a mini turkey baster. It moves a lot of air for no bigger than it is. It's small enough to fit in a pocket or purse. I keep one in my costume pocket for such an occasion.
BTW, I figured out how to make a battery powered like the pros use. I am still trying to find the parts to make it at a reasonable [read cheap :roll: ] You need and 12 volt air horn pump like these inexpensive air horns (No compressor or holding tank) use. The parts are expensive to purchase new, the compressor is about 20 bucks., and I just don't have it right now.

I'm having heck of a time inflating ballons by mouth. I've gone and purchased a pump. It works both ways as I pump it, but it's a bit bulky to carry around. I may look into a smaller hand pump just to carry with me as I go about my normal day (not when I'm Klowning). If anyone can recommend a particular brand I'd appreciate it. I'm still trying to practice blowing them up by mouth though. I'm surprised at my inability to do it, as I was very big into Scuba when I was a Marine, and developed quite a set of lungs. :oops: But then again Scuba and Balloons are like...well...Scuba and Balloons (you know...apples and oranges) :lol:

Tj, I think it's the lips. Not the lungs. It's such a small hole that your lips pop open trying to get the air in.

My two cents....

The main problem is a health problem. What you are doing when you forcefully blow air into a balloon and can't is called a Valsalva manuver. It's a build up of pressure in the internal organs. If your cardiovascular system is damaged or diseased you can cause serious problems to your body. I'm 26 and I can't blow up a balloon by mouth.

I'm sticking to my pump, but for gimics, I pump up a few prior then let the air out, I keep these seperate from the others so I don't get them mixed up, and I can blow these up.

The main problem is a health problem. What you are doing when you forcefully blow air into a balloon and can't is called a Valsalva manuver. It's a build up of pressure in the internal organs. If your cardiovascular system is damaged or diseased you can cause serious problems to your body. I'm 26 and I can't blow up a balloon by mouth.

Wow, thanks for the info Jobee. I gues the question, Is will it hurt you to blow them up if you can allready do it? I prefer the pump. But, It's just not practical For the impromptu "Quickie" at Home depot.

And there is technique and practice to inflate balloons by mouth.

It's funny how many mach firemen laugh at me for blowing up balloons
and making ballon sculptures, until I give them a balloon to try, that is.

I think part of what helped me was being a tuba player in junior high and
high school. You learn breath support and using your diaphram.

To say nothing of your Emboucher....

True, true.

My daughter played trombone in high school and I amazed her when she
first started. I picked up the trombone and played a B-flat scale.

You don't sit behind the trombone section all those years without picking up _something_

I tried playing bugle back in boy-scouts, but the difference between tuba and
bugle was too big for my emboucher.

Hey I played Tuba in high school also! As well as bass clarinet, but the transition from that to the tuba is another story, another day...

The lips are definitely "trick" part. I was blowing up some balloons at my nephew's party Saturday, and after a few I had to stop because I think I exerted too much pressure.

I'm sticking with pumps for the most part, but it's nice to know that I can do one of two by mouth before I get too tired.

Besides, I don't want any health issues....I got plenty of magazine and comic book subscriptions to satisfy that....

That was my whole point.
I keep some in my pocket just in case. To do one in the Wendys drive thru by mouth is completely different than doing a thousand for the local Costco grand opening.

I always use a pump. Blowing them up by breat is too much like hard work!

i hve not tried to blow them up by mouth yet but i might try to start doin that so i can start taking balloons with me when i go out.

There are numerous health issues to consider when blowing up a balloon by mouth. The #1 issue has to be spreading germs. You are putting bodily fluids into these balloons and hanging them to children. I know a ton of old school twisters will ignore this fact but it is true. You are taking a balloon, placing it in your mouth and using you mouth and lungs to blow it up. If you don’t believe me ask your doctor.

The other issue has to be when a kid sees you place the balloon in your mouth kids like to imitate what your doing by placing it in there mouth. If it breaks the kid could aspirate the balloon and choke.

I use a pump on any balloon I plan on giving to anyone. I do however mouth blow balloons for magic when the balloon itself will not be given to anyone.