How to do a

10,000 balloon release

On this occasion we used 2 x 5000 balloon release tubes. Our client required the balloons to be released either side of a the stage area, so 2 release bags were required.

As we were lucky enough to be working inside (you don't need to worry about the weather when you're inside) we threw a line over and hung the balloon bag to help with lift. This also gives us more space inside the bag to start the inflation.

If it's not possible to hang the bag then it's simply a matter of inflating 500 balloons to lift the weight of the nylon bag - you then get your own ceiling of balloons to work under.

We work inside the bag to avoid the risk of losing any balloons. The helium cylinders are slipped under the bag and we use fold away chairs with a hose and gun coming from the gas cylinders.

Always hand tie the balloons when you do a balloon release - the product must be 100% biodegradable. Never use valves or ribbon.

As the bag fills with balloons there becomes less and less space inside. We push and shake the bag to make sure it's rammed with balloons - there's always room for a few hundred more.

1st Yellow bag is filled with 5000 balloons.

We chain stitch the long side of the bag with 500lb kite line. A chain stitch releases easy with little friction.

Here's a clip of us finishing the Blue & White bag.

Once the balloon tubes are filled we need to find something solid to attach them to.

The key to a mass balloon release is to inflate the balloon quickly and as near to the release time as possible. You need the balloons to have maximum bouyancy at the release time.

We aim to finish inflation an hour before the launch time.

Once both bags are filled we begin to tidy the work area and store cylinders and equipment in vehicles. We are then able to leave within minutes of releasing the balloons.

The bags are secured down again using 500lb kite line.

This client wanted the balloons to be launched slowly. We were able to open the bags at a controlled speed and the balloons trickled into the air.