Well the First true steps have been made

[ashes]

I can do pretty much as many as needed for a gig...

When the firemen snicker, I hand them an uninflated 260 and
challenge them. Ends the snickering!

Now thay know better and tell the rookies that it isn't easy
to inflate the balloons.


Ashes

[SouthwestSam]

Originally Posted by ashes

I have the ability to inflate 260's by mouth. But I have stopped
doing it because of the health considerations (when they pop,
where do the germs go?)

Ashes

Now this has been years ago, but in our local Magic Club there was a Clown who performed fulltime as such doing Clowning & Balloon Twisting. At this particular time at an event, he was blowing a balloon up by mouth and it POPPED while inflating. A piece of the balloon seemed to have flown up passing his cheeks and scratched his coronea (Sp?.) of his left eyeball. He had to be rushed to the hospital but turned out fine. However, he always preached from that point on that it could have been worse.

Just thought I'd let Ya'll know.

~SAM 8)

[Gadget]

I would go for the pump. Last time I tried to blow up a 260 (stupid little girl) my ears popped something wicked and I had to go to the emergency room. Nothing serious, it just HURT.

[Scruffy]

While I don't advocate doing it. I iwll teel you that the secret to blowning up by mouth is........
Don't do it!


Actually, I pull on the tail while blowing.

[BIPS]

Here's my take on it:

It's something you have got to do right if you're going to do it, just like anything else in this bright blue ball of ours. Most importantly, BE CAREFUL! You can injure yourself seriously if this is done incorrectly.

I only blow up one or two to start with, because it is rather impressive to the kids, and to avoid the popping issue I give these to the other children.

I am eventually going to quit doing it altogether, but I need to get one of those big pumps....

[Scruffy]

www.macpump.net I've had great luck with mine. for the price you can't go wrong.

A word from the mouth of experience: Use spray silicone to lube the pump and For my money, nothing else.
WD40 leaves a residue that will cause you balloons to pop.

[TJ]

I use my mouth sometimes, and my pump other times. It just depends on if I'm doing one balloon for the teller at the bank (or a co-worker, or a child in line at the grocery, that sort of thing) or if I'm doing a large function.