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Page Thirteen
THE
HUMAN VOLCANO
OR, "THE BLOW"
This is the BIG ONE. This is the one that everybody seems to want to start out with. (To start fire-eating with learning the Blow is comparable to a computer newbie building a web site.) It's probably the one feat that vies with the torch-in-mouth for the distinction of being the Fire-Eater's trademark. There is probably no seasoned professional who can honestly say he or she has never even attempted this one. Some of the pro's, having tried it, do NOT incorporate it as a part of their routine. It is touted as being the most dangerous and difficult fire feat to perform. Indeed, I have known some who were lucky enough to escape serious injury, disfigurement, or death when the Volcano backfired. -And a few who were not as lucky.
There was one young man in the mid-70's, a truck-driver by trade, who decided he was going to break the Guiness World Record (This category no longer exists, due to its dangers and too many foolish people trying to break it). This man on his first attempt, had the fire back up on him and burned his face. A few months later, in his second official try, the fuel failed to ignite, he lost his nerve, threw his torches on the ground, and called it all off. -A wise decision on his part, except that this was broadcast on national television!
I myself have had my close calls with it. In the early days, while still developing my skills and techniques, there were several times that I felt the wrath of my own fires. Experiences like this are pretty much old history for me now, of course. I almost never have trouble with the Volcano anymore. -And if you pay attention to my lessons here, you won't either.
The true professionals call this the Blow, the Volcano, or the Human Volcano. Only the beginners and uninitiated will refer to it as "spitting/blowing fireballs." The term, "fireball" is quite vague. It can refer to the flaming balls that jugglers use (see Tips Page 11) or it can refer to the formation of a huge ball of fire that often materializes at the end of the Volcano's blast. I especially like the term used by the people at the Jellyhead site, "Hiroshima." -But this is slightly different from the classic Volcano. "Breath of Fire" also refers to something different from the "Blow." If you told me you "blow fireballs," I would tend to visualize something quite small.
The real danger in the Blow is when a performer insists on using lighter fluid or campstove fuel (both are "white gas"). "Someone" told them that this is how you do it, so that's what they insist on doing. And when they do get hurt, they have no one to blame but themselves -though they have just proven to themselves that it's all wrong. They will likely claim "the wind shifted," or "I forgot to back up quickly enough," "It didn't atomize right and some got on my chin," "I think it's a poor grade of gas," or some other such self-defending excuse. The real excuse lies in their continued ignorance and the fuel they insist on using, despite the obvious. -The obvious being, that "someone" did not really know what they were talking about, but got it from "someone else"... This is almost like folklore, passed on from one generation to another, and none stopping to question, "WHY?"...
Using highly volatile liquids for the Blow, I say, is an unnecessary suicidal risk. Using pure kerosene (paraffin -UK), I have blown flame after flame till my lips were chapped -with not one "backup" of fire, or "close call"...
This is the basic (NON-RECOMMENDED) method of blowing the Volcano, using white gas, naphtha, Coleman Fuel, lighter fluid, or plain old automotive gasoline (petro-UK) :
Be sure you have a wet rag or towel in your hand -the one not holding the torch. Be aware of which direction the wind is blowing, and how strong it may be. Never try this if the wind is overly strong, or constantly shifting. And always blow WITH the wind or air currents. The slightest breeze coming toward you can easily turn this flame around with disastrous results. It's also a good idea to have someone -a trusted assistant or experienced fire-eater- standing by with a wet towel, just in case. Make sure the area in the direction you are going to blow is clear of spectators and flammables. This includes hay bales and dry grass. When you are sure you've taken all necessary safety precautions, only then are you ready. Have your torch -or torches- out of the fuel and properly shaken off of excess fuel, ready to light. Take a small swig of the torch fuel, or have a shot glass previously half-filled to take in your mouth. At this point, be aware if any fuel has dripped down your chin or shirt front. Wipe your lips and chin with the wet towel even if nothing has dripped. This will leave a slight dampness on your chin, as further protection. Now move away from your fuel supplies and light the torch(es). Inhale deeply through your nose and push the fuel in your mouth toward the front, right up to your tightly-closed lips. Hold the flaming torch up about 12 -16 inches in front of your face, which should be pointing up at about a 45-degree angle. With experience, you can vary this angle. Now, with your lungs filled to capacity, blow the fuel suddenly and with all the force you can, straight over the top of the flaming torch. Do not aim for the torch head itself, but at a point a few inches above the head. This will put the stream of fuel through the torch's flames. As the blown fuel ignites, move your body and head backwards while continuing to blow, and close your lips tightly again, in order to prevent the flame from backing up to your mouth. Do not lean into the fire, and do not think that moving forward as you blow will help propel the fuel further. It will only put your face closer to the fire and increase the chances of backlash. This is one very important move when using torch fuel for the Blow. Be ready to immediately slap the wet towel over your face and mouth once the fire has erupted. Once you've blown and the blast has gone out, DO NOT attempt to put the torch out in your mouth. Fumes will linger in and around your mouth for a short period, and can still burn with explosive force if you immediately bring the torch up to your face. Either put the torch out with your hands or smother it in the wet towel, or have a glass of water handy to rinse your mouth, THEN put out the torch in your mouth. If you've done all this without incident, you may now congratulate yourself and hope it all works out the next time.
Although I must admit to having done the Human Volcano with white gas on occasion myself, I do not make a practice of it. In fact, I cannot recall the last time I did it. do not advocate it, I DO NOT advise anyone to follow the above procedures, and I strongly advise against it.
The details are given here solely for educational value. There are many things that can go wrong with this version of the Volcano. Should you go ahead and do this despite my warnings, please do not advertise having learned it from Mephisto the Master.
Using kerosene, most of the above dangers and safety precautions are totally eliminated. There is no need for a nervous assistant with a wet towel. The only need for a towel at all is to wipe off spills and drips afterward to cut down on chemical burn from lingering kerosene on your skin. You do not need to pull back from the blown flames. You CAN lean into the blow if you like. You can move forward, backward, or sideways while blowing for different effects. You do not have to move your kerosene cup or other container a safe distance away. -You could have it in a wine bottle in your hand the entire time you are blowing, without danger. Very few, if any, droplets that fall to the ground from the blow will continue burning -although it's still a good idea to stay on the safe side here.
Using kerosene, you do not just blow, or spit. You need to "atomize" the liquid. Purse your lips and blow through as if you were blowing a trumpet. Better yet, imagine you are blowing a tuba, with its larger mouthpiece. The idea is to get your lips to "flutter" as you blow, and make the fuel spray, not squirt. -This takes a bit of practice initially, not only to get the spray idea, but to direct that spray where you want it to go.
So we start this practice with water. Of course, you could use milk, soda, coffee, beer, or even Scotch, if you like. But to keep our costs down, we'll stick with water. Take a fair size sip and hold it in the front of your mouth. Don't fill your mouth. It should not fill your cheeks at all. Your cheeks become the "water balloon" to help propel the fuel. Enough fuel to fill the area immediately behind your teeth with your tongue pulled back is fine. If you MUST have a measurement, then take a shot glass and fill it about 3/4 full. That would be approximate for most adults. Now, keeping your lips tightly together, build up pressure in your mouth. With lips pursed, blow the water through, as hard and straight as you possibly can.
Did you see the fine spray you made? Did it splatter all over the front of your shirt? If you answered yes and no, then congratulations. You have the knack! If it got your shirt wet, then that's just what it's going to do with the kerosene. And that is what you DON'T want it to do. A shirt front, beard, or hair will act as a wick for kerosene, and WILL burn (Remember, I never said this was totally foolproof). Try a few more times, only hold your head up a bit. Aim for the rooftops. After a few tries this way, if you feel you've got the idea, you're ready to switch over to kerosene. You're ready for your first real Volcano! If you don't feel ready, practice some more. No one is pushing you here. If you back down now, you are no less a man or woman than before, and only a fool will think any less of you for it...
The first time you try the Volcano, it's going to scare you and amaze you at the same time. You'll probably start laughing and not know why. It's just an exhilarating feeling to know that you actually did it.
But a few more pointers, first. Once you have that kerosene in your mouth, ALWAYS remember NOT to swallow! Keep it there, even if you feel saliva building up behind it. If you feel you have to laugh, or the taste of it catches you off-guard, or you feel an urge to cough, then by all means, spit it out on the ground at your feet. But do not allow it to run down your throat. Some is going to no matter how hard you try. But trying to prevent any at all from getting down is the best way to minimize what actually does.
Ready for another try at it? Okay, here we go again. -Take the kerosene in your mouth. Hold it there as you take up and shake off the torch. Light the torch by whatever means you are using. Now hold that torch about arm's length from your face (elbow slightly bent) and straight out from your chin, keeping the torch vertical, not horizontal. Your aim is to blow the kerosene spray through the flame, not to saturate the torch. So you aim for the fire, not the torch itself. This is another important point. It's possible to put out the fire in the torch if you hit it wrong. Whatever the angle you are blowing, whether it's straight out, at an upward angle, or straight up, keep that torch in a line straight out from your chin, so you are always blowing through the flame.
Got that? -Good. Now give it all you've got! Blow that kerosene with all your might, and keep those cute lips of yours puckered!
Just be sure your friends or family don't decide to walk in front of you for some ridiculous reason at the moment you blow. I have known this to happen too many times. You can't expect others around you to anticipate the huge flame that's going to appear. That's why I advocate practicing this alone. If you'd feel better, or safer, having a friend close by when you try this, fine. Just make sure he or she understands that they are NOT to step in front of you under any circumstances. They are NOT to decide something or other should be moved out of your way. They MUST remain behind you, as they would if you were shooting a gun. This cannot be overemphasized. It's happened to me and others too many times. A friend is very advisable to have around when first practicing with beginner torches. But by the time you are ready for the Blow, you should hardly need another person around anymore.
After you have blown your fire, if you have not expelled all of the kerosene in your mouth, you may, if you wish, blow the remaining fuel over the torch again, making a "mini-blow," or "aftershock." Or, just spit it on the ground and take a well-deserved break. Don't forget to extinguish the torch, either in your mouth or by some other means. Unlike with white gas, you can safely put the torch in your mouth immediately after the Blow. Just be sure you don't have excess fuel still in your mouth, or it will run down your throat when you tip your head to receive the torch. [Note: if you have a moustache or other facial hair around your mouth, wipe off any overspray that may have gotten on these whiskers before bringing the torch to your mouth] Wipe your face with a clean rag, and take a drink of water, milk, or whatever pleases you. You're going to have an oily aftertaste in your mouth and throat for a little while after this. This aftertaste takes a bit of getting used to. Many people, after experiencing this aftertaste, decide they don't want any more. If this aftertaste turns you off from fire-eating, fine. You've gotten it out of your system and you're still alive. You now know what it feels like to blow fire. Throw out any print-outs you've made of this web site and good luck with your "normal" life. I am not twisting your arm to become a Fire-Eater, but I won't lie to you either. Some people find the aftertaste so foul, that it's ended then and there. Well, after blowing two dozen times within an hour or so, such as in a parade, you'll be more than ready for a few breath-mints! The truth is, the kerosene smell will linger on your breath and in your taste for some time. There is no avoiding that fact. Breath-mints may help mask the smell, but the only surefire method I have found for getting rid of the aftertaste is solid food after a show. That's right, solid food. A glass of milk helps somewhat. Liquor won't help at all (unless you get drunk enough so it doesn't matter anyway). But solid food, whether a sandwich or burger, or a full meal, seems to clear the mouth and throat -as well as the stomach- of lingering aftertaste better than anything.
Keep that in mind when you start doing paid shows. You could ask for a dinner after your show as part of your fee!
When the Human Volcano is done with white gas or lighter fluid, you will experience a prickling sensation in your mouth, as compared to the oily taste of kerosene. This prickly feeling is the early stage of "chemical burn" or contact dermatitis. The longer the fluid is in contact with your skin, the more severe the "chemical burn" will be. It takes much more kerosene to cause this "burn" than white gas. Intermediate stages of chemical burn are evidenced by reddened, itchy skin. An advanced stage would be comparable to any heat burn, sunburn, or abrasion.
The most professional presentation of the Human Volcano uses two torches. While it is perfectly acceptable to use just one, two add a certain balance to the whole stance. They are held out, crossed, in the same position one would be. The moment the blown fuel ignites, these two torches are swept out and away in an arc, so that by the time the flame has reached its apex, the torches are down and toward the rear of the performer's legs. When photographed in this manner, it appears that the Fire-Eater is blowing the flame without any outside source of ignition.
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