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FiRe BrEaThInG!

This is the most dangerous of all fire arts, because the flames have a tendency to follow the fuel back into the individual’s mouth and lungs. Fire Breathing can lead to uncontrolable fires and burns, cancer, poisoning, and even death. The following simply explains the art of fire breathing and some of the experiences I have had with it. I am a professional FLAIR Bartender (remember the movies Cocktails with Tom Cruise or Coyote Ugly?) and use fire art in many of my shows . I have been doing this for years and I do not endorse nor suggest that anyone try fire breathing without proper training and an experienced fire breather by your side. Nor do I take responsibility for anyone injured in attempting these fire arts. This is meant as an informative guideline only. In attempting fire breathing you do so at your own risk. Attempting to breathe fire yourself without professional guidance is never to be attempted under any circumstances, no matter how knowledgeable you feel you are.

Simply put, fire breathing is the art of expelling a fine mist of combustible mixture over an open flame and creating a fireball or fire stream.  

The exhibition , as well as the proper approach , creates the appearance of danger to captivate and amaze their audience. However, despite being the most dangerous and most publicized of the fire arts, little is known of its heritage. It dates back to before the renaissance in Europe and has a longer tradition in China and India. It existence is noted in ancient Egyptian texts, and is probably older than that. It has been incorporated into Polynesian traditions, and is present in America as a circus act. Fire Breathing is a standard side-show act, and a favorite of street performers and bar patrons. It is never safe and contributes several mortalities each year in the US.

Being able to control the consistency of the spray as well as the fuel’s direction is a technique that takes a lot of time to refine. Fire breathers usually practice extensively with water before ever attempting a fuel. I would practice in the shower taking in the water and practicing my mist technique. If the mist is not fine enough, the fuel catches fire and falls to the ground burning.

There are different types of fire breathing. There are many ways to breathe fire. Techniques vary from person to person.

    * Forty-five degree fire blast. This is the basic technique- the breather holds their head at a good, basic angle from their body, and spits out fuel into the torch flame held a couple of feet from their face.
    * Camp fire. This is when the fire breather angles the head downwards, sending the blast to the ground. This should only be attempted when the ground is a non-flammable surface.
    * Hell fire. This is done when the fire breather squats down on the ground, the flame angled down. As flames rise, the breather starts to stand, giving the appearance he/she is coming up from the pits of hell, with flames all around. As flames are all over the breather, a non-flammable outfit covers the whole body.
    * Repeating blasts. Three or more quick, choppy bursts of flame without getting more fuel. This creates a “fireball” like effect, and is good for shock effect.
    * The Circus Tent. This is a group trick- four or more stand in a circle, a good distance from each other, and breathe fire at a forty five degree angle upwards. If done correctly, the flames meet at a central point, making a tent of flames.
    * Biggest Blast Ever. Two regular forty-five degree blasts are done, making a very large flame above the fire breathers’ heads.
    * The Dragon. This is where the breather will ignite the flame at a 45 degree angle, after doing so the breather will remove their torch and continue to breathe out for 2-4 seconds so they appear to be breathing fire like a dragon.
    * Twin Trails. In this move the breather will use their free hand to block part of the fuel spray to create two seperate breaths next to each other

There can be certain health risks involved when it comes to fire breathing. When fire breathing is performed using the wrong type of fuel, or improper technique, fire breathing can increase the risk of:

    * Death

    * Severe burns

    * Cancer

    * Dental Problems

    * Stomach and tissue ulcers

    * Fuel Poisoning

    * Dry Cough, Dry mouth

    * Headache, dizziness, drunken ill feeling

    * Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache

    * Dry skin and topical heat burns

To increase safety, fire breathers must avoid highly combustible fuels such as alcohol, spirit-based fuels, and most petrochemicals, instead using safer combustibles with a higher flash point . Due to its relatively safe flash point, paraffin, or highly purified lamp oil, is the preferred fuel for fire breathing. Although corn starch has been cited as a non-toxic fuel, the hazards of inhalation increase the potential risk of lung infections.

Fuels that are considered especially dangerous and not recommended are:

    Ethanol – drinking alcohol can be absorbed into the blood stream without drinking causing intoxication.

    Methanol – used for colored flame recipes can cause blindness or neurological disorders.

    Naphtha, Butane and Propane – are low flash point fuels and can create a condensed vapor build-up in the oral cavity leading to internal combustion, damaging the mouth or lungs. Naphtha also is quite carcinogenic; using it on a constant basis can lead to mouth cancer. Common fuels like gasoline and kerosene often contain carcinogenic additives or refining by-products, such as sulfurated compounds, or benzenes. Kerosene is easy to obtain, but it is the most carcinogenic due to it being so unrefined.

The proper torch plays just as much importance as does the fuel. When beginning to practice fire breathing use a smaller head on your torch giving you more control over the size of your fire. Having a larger head, allows for more surface area for fire, requiring a larger breath. Your torch consists of a wire coat hanger that has been straightened out and should be 8 – 12 inches. This ensures the fire will be a safe distance from your face and hand. Mount 100% cotton cheesecloth to the wire where you want the head to be using Elmer’s glue. Allow it to dry fully. Leather lacing or cloth wrapped around the base will jazz up its appearance and you won’t have to worry about it burning your hand.

I once competed in a Flair Contest in New Jersey. The owner, who by the way is a great guy, was very nervous about the fact I wanted to blow fire in his bar. Mind you the place was old er than dirt and entirely wood. You could see his concerns and fears.

I down played the fire breathing part telling him if he blinks he’ll miss it, tiny little flame fast and sweet. He finely agreed. I want to add that the owner stood all of 5’7” tall and weighed over 300lbs. So, the competition is under way everyone having a great time. My time to perform and I had the tins spinning, garnish flipping and bottles tossing! Now comes time for the fire. I take a mouthful of fuel, dip my index finger into the fuel and ignite my finger (do not try that) and sprayed the mist of fuel over it. Because I knew the owner was nervous and I wanted to get it over with quickly, I blew that mist with such force I shot a good 12 foot fire stream across the stage!

The BEST I had every done! I look out into the audience and see this poor owner with is hand over his heart. I was like OMG and approached him after the event. If looks could kill and he was like “TINY LITTLE FLAME? YOU LIT UP THE BLOCK”.. lol!

Cheers,

Mix Master D