They died of asphyxiation, because they were stupid fucks who didn't stop for a moment to consider that sulfur hexafluoride displaces oxygen in the lungs. Or they were deliberately huffing it because a severe reduction in oxygen levels in the brain produces feelings of euphoria or surreality.
In fact, the snopes link you provided supports this argument:
Suffocation, dangerous behavior, and aspiration account for 45% of inhalant abuse fatalities...Suffocation usually takes its toll through the victim's slipping into unconsciousness then dying of a lack of oxygen.
Sulfur hexafluoride, the primary component in compressed air, is an inert compound with no toxicological properties. It is as harmless as helium which, might I add, can also be huffed to wild effects but has gained no reputation for it.
Have you ever wondered why that is? It's because they don't sell cans of helium.
As with any scientific experiment, knowing what you're doing, its effects, your limitations and the properties of the chemical/compound/agent you're working with is paramount.
I was referring more to the Sudden sniffing deaths (that take up 55% of the deaths) than the asphyxiation.
"Sudden sniffing death" is a simple way of saying the hydrocarbons being inhaled provoke irregular heart rhythms in the victim, leading to sudden fatal cardiac arrest. Even young and very healthy hearts fail this way.
More than that though, I was trying to say "Don't be a stupid fuck", not discuss the specific cause of death.
Again, it's a matter of knowing what you're working with. As a result of SSD, many compressed air manufacturers have switched to propellant-free cans. This is possible because a compressed gas rushes to a source of depressurization which, in this case, is the nozzle. The expansion of the compressed gas produces sufficient force to make the can do the voodoo that it do without hydrocarbons.
UPSLynx
:KAPPA:Redwood City, CA Icrontian
Comments
Thanks everyone.
I have some ideas in the works... I want to feature you guys more without me doing all the talking.
I'll probably have a topic up about it soon, but craps 'bout to get real.
Gnomewizard - A public declaration of such would require me being in the designation of said adjective. I need not rest my case.
yet.
the random switches to something else for a few seconds add a ton to the video.
In fact, the snopes link you provided supports this argument:
Sulfur hexafluoride, the primary component in compressed air, is an inert compound with no toxicological properties. It is as harmless as helium which, might I add, can also be huffed to wild effects but has gained no reputation for it.
Have you ever wondered why that is? It's because they don't sell cans of helium.
As with any scientific experiment, knowing what you're doing, its effects, your limitations and the properties of the chemical/compound/agent you're working with is paramount.
More than that though, I was trying to say "Don't be a stupid fuck", not discuss the specific cause of death.