Guide to Blowing Fire Safely and Effectively

Fire breathing, also known as flaming fountains or fire swallowing, is a mesmerizing and dangerous art that requires careful planning and execution. This guide will walk you through the essential steps of selecting the appropriate materials, mastering the technique, and taking necessary safety measures to ensure your performance is both safe and awe-inspiring.

1. Selecting and Using Proper Materials

Choosing the Right Fuel:

When it comes to fire breathing, the choice of fuel is crucial. Popular options include specialized fire blowing fuels such as Safex Pyrofluid FS, kerosene, and paraffin. These fuels have specific characteristics that affect their performance: flash ignition point, taste, smell, and smoke production. Kerosene, for instance, produces a lot of smoke and is the most dangerous due to its low flash point and unrefined quality. Be aware that even non-toxic fuels like paraffin can cause serious respiratory issues if inhaled, making it essential to handle these materials with the utmost care.

Buying or Making Torches:

To control the flame effectively, you will need a torch. Many beginners use homemade torches made from a non-flammable handle, often metal, and an absorbent cloth for the wick. Ensure the wick is bound to the handle with a fire-resistant cord to prevent it from falling off while lit. Sources for specialized binding materials can be found at juggling specialty retailers online. Typical cotton cord or regular rope is not recommended as they burn easily. The stick portion of the torch should be at least 12 inches long, and the wick should be small enough for your first practices before adjusting its size to achieve the desired flame.

Safety Precautions:

Thoroughly soak the torch wick in fuel, ensuring it is well-soaked but not dripping. Use an ignition source like a match or lighter handily accessible. After lighting the wick at its base, keep your hand a few inches away to minimize the risk of burns. It is crucial to practice these steps away from anything flammable before attempting a live performance.

2. Breathing Fire Effectively

Inhaling and Pouring Fuel:

To breathe fire, you need to inhale deeply and pour fuel into your mouth quickly without inhaling or swallowing. Practice this with water or an inert substance to get the feel for how much you can hold without risk. Always hold the fuel container with your palm on the back, pointing your fingers toward you, to prevent spills.

Exposing the Flame:

.DropDown your chin and lips to spray the fuel forcefully as a mist. Adjust the angle of the torch to avoid spilling fuel on yourself or nearby objects. Exhale forcefully to keep the flame away from your face and articulated parts of your body. Wait several seconds before inhaling again to avoid ingestion of fuel vapor or combustion products.

Extinguishing the Torch:

After your performance, you can intentionally extinguish the torch with a safety towel or flame-treated cloth. Ensure the cloth is not flammable or likely to melt, and have a bucket of water nearby if necessary.

3. Taking Safety Measures While Performing

Hire an Audience Guard:

A guard is essential to keep spectators a safe distance from you during performance. Choose someone familiar with fire breathing techniques. Although fire safety training for guards is recommended, it is not critical unless they are directly handling the fire equipment.

Engage a Spotter:

A spotter is crucial for fire safety. This individual should be knowledgeable about your performance and trained in wick extinguishing. Ensure a fire extinguisher is on hand, and have an ambulance available for large organized events.

Wear a Flame-Resistant Costume:

Your costume must be flame-resistant, capable of withstanding 800 degrees without catching fire. Synthetic and cotton materials are not recommended. Treat your costume with a flame-retardant substance if necessary and practice with it before a live performance.

Acquire First-Aid Training:

Fire breathing is inherently dangerous. Ensure you and your support team are trained in first aid, including CPR and burn treatment. Always have a first aid kit available.