The most common question we receive from our customers is ‘how do you inflate these huge balloons’. Working in this area for almost a decade, we often forget how unavailable this is to common knowledge, so here’s a post dedicated to different ways you can inflate our giant balloons. If this doesn’t quench your thirst for knowledge on inflation techniques, then email us at sales@giantballoons.co.uk. We’d be more than willing to help 🙂
Inflating giant round balloons
18” and 2 FT round balloons.
- These balloons can be inflated with a handpump, but for ease you can also inflate them with an electrical inflator. However, you will need to inflate the balloon slightly with your mouth or a hand-pump in order to expand the surface of the latex material, before using an electrical inflator. Once you have inflated it slightly, then use the inflator.
- A good way to measure the diameter of the balloon is to measure the distance between two chairs, and then inflate your balloon in between this space.
- You can close the mouth of the 18″and 2FT balloons quite simply like a normal balloon, but if you would like to reuse it, you may want to invest in one of these handy gadgets: small balloon closure.
3 FT, 4 FT, 5 FT and 6 FT round balloons
- These can be more tricky but also more fun! You will definitely need an electrical inflator for inflating these. No matter how superhuman you think you may be, don’t embarrass yourself by trying to inflate it with your mouth.
- If you have a vacuum in the house which can be changed to the reverse setting, whereby it inflates rather than sucks, then you can also use that.
- You might need an extra pair of hands. Someone will need to measure the diameter of the balloon with a tape measure. Alternatively, you can measure the distance between two chairs, and simply inflate the balloon in that space.
- A large balloon closure for 4 FT, 5 FT, and 6 FT balloons, and a medium balloon closure for 3 FT can be very handy.
- You can also use cable ties, but bear in mind that the closures enable you to tie and untie the balloons, meaning you might be able to use it more than once, which is always a bonus.
Inflating giant water balloons
- The dons of giant water balloons aka, the slow mo guys have produced the most entertaining demonstration of how to inflate a giant water balloon, which you can view here.
- To ensure that you or your friends/family get the most out of this product, we would advise that you inflate the balloon to 4 FT (make sure it is less than the full size of 6ft). The smaller the size is the stronger the balloon will be when one jumps onto it. If it is inflated to its full capacity, its quite likely that the balloon will burst sooner due to excessive pressure.
- We would also recommend that the balloon is used in a space which has no sharp objects lying around. Please ensure the space underneath the balloon is secure and smooth.
- It is also advisable that the balloon is not used in excruciating and humid weather.
- Make full use of the balloon straight after you have inflated it, rather than expecting to use the product during an extended length of time.
- The giant water balloon can be inflated through a general outdoor hose-pipe, which may take almost an hour.
- You can tie the balloon with a cable tie. Alternatively, you can use a large balloon closure once the balloon is fully inflated.
- You can also leave the hose-pipe to continue inflating the balloon whilst you use it, on very low pressure. You can secure the balloon mouth around the hose-pipe with a cable tie.
- This water balloon can be used by children and young people over the age of 7. Adult supervision is necessary when children and young people use this product.
- WARNING: do not climb into this balloon. That would be stupid! We sell climb in balloons separately, which you can find on our website. But regardless of whether it is a giant water balloons or a climb in balloons, a giant latex balloon of any kind should not be filled with water before being used to climb into. This is very dangerous and can obviously lead to drowning.
Inflating climb in balloons
- Lets now move onto the most risky of balloons to inflate: the climb in balloon. First and foremost: 1) Individuals under the age of 18 are strictly forbidden from using this product. and 2) If you feel that you have an insufficient amount of knowledge about how to climb into a balloon, we would advise that you avoid trying until you are completely confident that you know how to enter and exit the climb-in-balloon safely.
- Establishing those two big disclaimers, here’s a few safety tips.
- The most effective inflator would be an electric leaf blower. NOT a petrol one.
- These are the two most common ways in how people climb in to balloons:
- Push one arm through the mouth of the balloon and then your head and further, the other arm – push the balloon down to your waist and ensure it doesn’t catch on your clothing. Once it reaches your waist, push the balloon straight down to your feet and as quick as possible to avoid any air from escaping. Then navigate around the balloon so that you can push your head back through the neck.
- The second method is essentially the same, except, you would put your head in first and then one arm and the other.
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Do not over-inflate the balloon before you climb in – it is recommended that you first inflate the balloon to 4ft or 4.5ft . You will probably need someone to inflate the balloon a little more once you are inside the balloon as air will gradually escape. This is why you will need an extra pair of hands to help. The maximum diameter of this balloon is 6 feet which is approximately 71 inches. You can inflate to this diameter if you no longer intend to climb into the balloon, but instead fill it with air or helium. Make sure you use a high-powered inflator – an electric leaf-blower is highly recommended but definitely not a petrol leaf blower (toxic fumes are very dangerous).
- Make sure that there is always an individual present, to help you get inside and climb outside the balloon and to re-inflate the balloon once you are fully inside the balloon. It is further important that someone is always presents while you are climbing into the balloon in case you are at any risk.
- With regards to clothing, make sure that you are not wearing anything too baggy as otherwise your clothing may get caught up in the neck of the climb-in-balloon. It is recommended that your clothing is thin and smooth in order to ease the process.
- Only one individual can climb in a balloon per time. The balloon cannot withhold more than one individual at a time.
- We cannot guarantee how many times you may use this climb-in-balloon, as this will ultimately depend on how you actually use and handle the balloon, particularly, how you climb outside the balloon. Some people burst the balloons in order to escape the balloon. So the amount of times you use the climb-in-balloon will ultimately depend on your decision.
- Make sure you have a flat surface, whether you are climbing in an interior or outdoor space. If necessary, put a flat mat or sheet below the balloon. Ensure you have enough room above and around yourself and the balloon. Further ensure that you have removed all objects or furniture from you, especially those of which are sharp and warm.
- It is recommended that you do not climb into the balloon in very warm or hot conditions as this will cause humidity and in turn, increase breathing difficulties in the balloon.
- If you incorporate this in a routine that is performed to an audience, ensure that the audience are at a safe distance away from you and the balloon in case it bursts and causes unexpected shock.
- The climb in balloon can be a choking and suffocation hazard, particularly because the air will gradually escape from the balloon as the balloon may deflate and trap the individual inside. To avoid this, it is recommended that the balloon is inflated with enough air at the beginning and again once more if significant amounts of air have been lost. Some people who have performed this stunt have kept knives in their pockets to burst the balloon if they become trapped. But if you decide to do this, you will need to be cautious, ensuring that the knife does not come into contact with the balloon incidentally or causes you any harm in the process.
Enjoy inflating balloons! 🙂
Giant Balloons 