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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to buy a helium tank and fill the balloons myself?

67 replies

CloserIAmToFine · 09/08/2017 12:34

We need about 25 helium balloons for DD's party, and we will need the same amount again in a few months for DS. DD's party is on a Sunday so there aren't many places open to buy balloons. (I've been told I can get them the day before if I pay extra for hi-float but I'd rather not.) It seems easier and cheaper to just buy a helium tank and fill them ourselves. Is this as straightforward as it seems? Any tips for filling the balloons? Should I buy the optional "valves" or just tie them myself?

Thank you for any guidance!

OP posts:
Lotsawobblybits · 09/08/2017 12:40

We bought a helium cannister online for my sisters babyshower- (from Party Pieces I think) worked out loads cheaper than paying for Sunday delivery etc and they stayed up really well. Really easy to do, we just knotted them.

Get good quality balloons & make sure you tie the ribbon on before you let go of them! The weights are really cheap too, the cannister we got didn't need anything else valves etc.

LoudBatPerson · 09/08/2017 12:41

It is very easy and straight forward, definitely just order the canister. You will get instructions with the canister. You put the balloons over the nozzle, twist the valve and they fill up. Keep holding onto the balloon spout bit while you fill, and don't over fill. It doesn't even take long, and it is a lot easier to fill them at the location of the party than transport loads of inflated balloons, which take up a stupid amount of space.

I have never bothered to get the special valves either, just made sure the balloons were decent quality.

BalloonSlayer · 09/08/2017 12:44

I remember a thread on here once where the OP was asking about helium balloons and she got torn to shreds because they are bad for the environment. (I had no idea!) It was as amazing as it was completely cbloody awful ! Shock Shock

So, OP, once you have got your advice, enjoy your lovely balloons and run far, far away from this thread and never come back!

Cornettoninja · 09/08/2017 12:47

Apart from the actual balloon - helium is fine so let's knock that one on the head straight away. It's not the same grade helium they use in medical equipment so noones brain tumour is going undiagnosed.

Don't let them off out doors and your golden.

Get your canister and enjoy your party!Grin

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 09/08/2017 12:47

OP, please please say that the balloons will not be released because that would be a Very Bad Thing.

lalalalyra · 09/08/2017 12:49

It's a doddle to do. Cut your ribbons first would be my tip - have then attached to the weight or the back of a chair and just tie the ballon straight on once it's knotted.

When you get the canister don't count on getting the exact number of balloons it says - always estimate a few less.

Original poster
CloserIAmToFine · 09/08/2017 13:37

Thank you everyone! This is so helpful. And no the balloons aren't being released -- not on purpose anyway.

OP posts:
AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 09/08/2017 13:43

I remember a thread like that too Ballonslayer
The Op was also slated for about three pages for using up the world's dwindling helium supplies and was told it would be her fault when future people died because hospitals could no longer use helium due to balloon use.

Hysterical was an understatement

SequinsOnEverything · 09/08/2017 14:17

Really easy to use, but I don't think we've ever got 50 balloons out of one, so one might not do both parties.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 09/08/2017 15:38

The Op was also slated for about three pages for using up the world's dwindling helium supplies and was told it would be her fault when future people died because hospitals could no longer use helium due to balloon use

This is technically correct. Helium is a finite resource and we can't make more of it.

WideHorizon · 09/08/2017 15:42

At some point in the future, we will look back on the times we wasted helium on balloons as one of the last great examples of human ignorance.

Don't do it, I judge so very much when I go to a party where there are helium balloons.

BarbaraofSeville · 10/08/2017 10:07

Wasn't the conclusion that use of helium in balloons didn't affect the availability of medical grade helium? Perhaps there is a by product that's not pure enough for medical use, so it's used in balloons?

Anyway, some scuba divers also use helium when diving very deep and often recreationally, not commercial divers so also a frivalous waste of helium?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 10/08/2017 11:24

Wasn't the conclusion that use of helium in balloons didn't affect the availability of medical grade helium? Perhaps there is a by product that's not pure enough for medical use, so it's used in balloons?

Helium all comes from one source and can be as purified as needed.

www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Helium.html

Anyway, some scuba divers also use helium when diving very deep and often recreationally, not commercial divers so also a frivalous waste of helium?

Yup.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 10/08/2017 11:32

I've been told I can get them the day before if I pay extra for hi-float but I'd rather not.

Yes, definitely don't do that. Hi-float only has a 10 hour floatation time, so if you got them the day before they'd be down in the early hours of Sunday morning.

(I used to sell balloons; we added hi-float to latex balloons as a matter of policy, no extra charge, and they still only had a 10 hour float time.)

eubyru · 10/08/2017 14:44

Op I always get balloons done a day or two before a party and I never ever get hi-float.

The balloons always last 4/5 days without in asking as they are stored in a nice cool area

Dragonfree · 10/08/2017 15:32

Buying a canister and doing balloons yourself really is as easy as it sounds.

However, if they are normal latex balloons, my experience is that they will only last about 6 hours or so.

Cut ribbon, blow up balloon, knot, attach ribbon, attach weight. Simples.

safariboot · 10/08/2017 15:42

You could always use hydrogen Grin

CockacidalManiac · 10/08/2017 15:44

You could always use hydrogen Grin

Oh, the humanity!

Mrsemcgregor · 10/08/2017 15:45

Forgive my ignorance, what medical use does helium have? (Genuinely interested)

RhiWrites · 10/08/2017 15:45

They are bad for the environment but whatever you do OP dont let anyone inhale the helium to make their voice squeaky. It's can kill. 62 Britains in 2013!

www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/inhaling-gas-from-helium-balloons-no-laughing-matter-it-can-kill/news-story/4126938014edcc1cac02ae8c7ca2de83

moggle · 10/08/2017 15:46

I don't think you will get 50 balloons out of one canister. We got one from hobbycraft; got about 15 latex balloons for DD's birthday and then 6 bigger foil balloons for our NCT party a couple of weeks later and after that there was only a trickle coming out. We didn't even have any left for comedy voices for the grown ups. (I know ,it could probably have killed us). And the canister is still sitting in the garage waiting to be taken to the tip. Don't believe the blurb that says you can leave it out with your normal rubbish!! haha!

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 10/08/2017 15:49

Op I always get balloons done a day or two before a party and I never ever get hi-float.

The balloons always last 4/5 days without in asking as they are stored in a nice cool area

They'll have been foil balloons, which can last up to a week (and you can't put hi-float in them).

Latex balloons only have a 10 hour float time with hi-float. There is absolutely no way they'd last several days.

Scribblegirl · 10/08/2017 15:49

mrs Helium is used in MRI scanning so when we run out there'll be no MRI scans.

Don't know the difference between medical grade and balloon type though clicked on the thread for the hysteria Blush

Mrsemcgregor · 10/08/2017 15:51

Thanks scribble my mind is boggling at how helium and MRIs are connected, but I never did pretend to be scientific!!

moggle · 10/08/2017 15:51

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