Ukraine crisis and cost of helium

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

https://cen.acs.org/business/specialty-chemicals/War-Ukraine-makes-helium-shortage-more-dire/100/i10?utm_source=LatestNews&utm_medium=LatestNews&utm_campaign=CENRSS

So how long would it be before helium prices take a hit due to this particular crisis? How much of an increase in price do you all foresee?

 

[Marie13]

Great, just great.

The shop in the Chicago area where I get helium said someone had asked about availability in early February. At that time a T bottle was $700 without delivery charges. Last spring it was $600 for a T, which resulted in $4.60/cft. My tech instructor in WI can’t get enough to fill OC.

 

[GF99/99]

 

[kaylee_ann]

well looks like I'm never gonna get a trimix cert LOL. dear god

 

[kaylee_ann]

Great, just great.

The shop in the Chicago area where I get helium said someone had asked about availability in early February. At that time a T bottle was $700 without delivery charges. Last spring it was $600 for a T, which resulted in $4.60/cft. My tech instructor in WI can’t get enough to fill OC.

how the hell does anyone afford that? must need a really really good job lol

 

[rob.mwpropane]

how the hell does anyone afford that?

Rob banks

 

[kaylee_ann]

Rob banks

seems like the only way honestly lmao

 

[rob.mwpropane]

seems like the only way honestly lmao

I don't dive with He yet, but I do mix and pump all my own gas. I couldn't imagine going back to paying an arm and a leg for gas for each and every dive.

 

[Marie13]

how the hell does anyone afford that? must need a really really good job lol

There’s a reason people who tech dive are often older and more established in their careers. Many of us are frugal as hell outside of diving. For a mix with 20% helium it was approximately $90 per tank, $180 per dive. Just for the helium. I get narked bad. Worth every penny to have the clear head.

 

[kaylee_ann]

I don't dive with He yet, but I do mix and pump all my own gas. I couldn't imagine going back to paying an arm and a leg for gas for each and every dive.

does the cost of equipment for that actually offset the cost of buying gas? a friend of mine has a compressor.