Using a SCUBA tank for Helium (balloons)

[geekedup]

Hello,

I have a SCUBA tank I want to use for filling Helium balloons (for kite fishing).

Does anyone here know if there's a valve I can purchase that will screw in to the standard threads in a SCUBA tank?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fishb0y]

sorry... sounds like a waste of helium...

 

[SeaCobra]

there is not, and please be very, very careful. Pure helium is an asphyiant and breathing it could have bad results. Balloon grade helium does have some oxygen in it, but not much. In the tech diving world, transporting helium in a scuba cylinder is frowned upon (I know some folks do it).

 

[ktomlinson]

Mark the tank so that folks know its not for breathing if you do this. You can use a first stage scuba regulator with just a BC inflator hose (you can find a used one for cheap, it doesn't matter if it's in divable condition if you're just using it for balloons). You can then attach an air blower to the bcd inflator hose. You can get the air blower here: http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/store/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1287

 

[ktomlinson]

You may want to compare costs of the helium...you may be able to get balloon grade from the gas supply store and a regulator cheaper than you can get someone to fill a scuba tank with helium, depending on how much and how often you need it.

 

[wedivebc]

See Seacobra's post. There was a case of a guy who's kid wanted to borrow his dad's pony bottle and go to the bottom of the pool. Unfortunately the pony bottle was filled with pure argon. Luckily the dad was able to save the young boy but putting pure inert gas in a scuba tank is a bad idea. There are lots of small bottles made for inert gas with the proper CGA 580 fitting.

 

[geekedup]

Thank you everyone (except fishb0y)

Responses like these are the reason this site is great.

 

[Doubler]

There is a way to mark the tank. I believe UN regulations require the tank to be painted Green with Compressed Helium stenciled in white on the cylinder.

 

[fishb0y]

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that...
Helium Shortage - Why Is There a Helium Shortage? - Popular Mechanics