Burning a Friend Alive...(safely)

[CyclonitePyro]

For our "annual end of the year-school is finaly eff'n over-we now are free from indoctrination for another 3 months" celebration, a friend of mine would like to wear protective clothes and coat himself in a flammable substance, and then be lit and flail his arms as if he were burning by accident and then jump in the lake, because it would look great on tape.
What would be a good substance to coat oneself with that would look good but burn relatively slow?
Anyone know something good to wear while being burned,(we have no Nomex) perhaps aluminum foil would reflect the head radiation, or it might bake him like a potato <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
Has anyone done anything like this? Or have any knowlegde on this stunt?

<small>[ May 24, 2002, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: CyclonitePyro ]</small>

[MacCleod]

This may be tough to pull off (safely!),as stuntmen not only wear a fireproof suit,but they are covered in a heat resistant 'gel' of some type.
If you figure out a way around that,i'm thinking maybe a topical alcohol might be a good choice for fuel,as it won't create any noxious fumes while burning (though you'd have to add something to impart a yellow color,otherwise you'd barely see the flames).Does sound like fun,though.

<small>[ May 24, 2002, 12:58 AM: Message edited by: MacCleod ]</small>

[SATANIC]

if you don't know you can pull it off safely, i wouldn't try it. just one small accident, and your friend is toast. and it wouldn't take much either.....

on the other hand, you're right, i would love to see a video of it!

[A-BOMB]

You can get Abspetos cloth from a furnance supply or some thing like it or have him wear some long underwear and coat those with petolium gelly or grease then have him put on his outer clothes and cover any exopsed skin with more gelly or grease have hime wear gloves and a thin cloth ski mask and cover that with mor gelly/grease then get a flame proof face sheild (for welding or something like that) and put on his ballcap to hide the sheild partily. now coat him with your burn fluid (I like a gas old engine old sludge with a hint of sawdust). And make sure that you have anoth fire exginishers on hand and people to use them in case he cant get to the lake and falls down from the heat or fire.

[SATANIC]

i should probably say, if the flames are as dramatic as i suppose you want them, then he might not be able to see much at all. then, if the heat does get to him, he'll drop pretty quickly. (either that or he panicks) whatever, it's bad news...

[Microtek]

My grandmother did a trick like this once. She simply wet her arm with water and poured some kerosene on afterwards. The kerosene floats on water ( and besides only burns at the surface ) so if put out reasonably quickly, nothing happens. I'd suggest that you try to avoid the flames reaching his head; thats what incapacitates people.
Why not just having him run towards the lake as soon as he is ignited - this will blow the heat away from him before it raises his temperature very much. Oh, and do some tests, starting small ( a gloved hand or an arm ).

[S. Toppholzer]

I'd go for high-grade grain alcohol. test it by dipping your finger in it and light it. It burns with a pretty cool flame for a while before it really starts to hurt.

[randomquestion]

I would really love to see this video. So tell if/when you make it. And post it here.

[VX]

I saw a program on this once, where the stunt men were giving their 'secrets' away.

They coat themselves and their clothes in a thick layer of petroleum jelly, e.g. Vaseline.

They also said that they cannot breath in at all while the flames are lit, as the risk of breathing in flame/ hot air, and damaging the lungs massively, is very high.

[vulture]

I would use a liquid or solid fuel which can only burn in the form of it's vapor. That way some heat energy will be used to vaporize the fuel and the hottest zone will be a few cm away from the person, certainly if he runs.

[A-BOMB]

Soldier F, abestoast can't burn thats why they used it in flame proof suits and to line ovens and stuff. And I have thick arm length abestoast gloves that I use when I burn stuff so I can pick up burning logs and coals, and I don't have cancer yet <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> But even then the abestoast is contained by the leather liner so I cant even get to it.

[S. Toppholzer]

Asbestos fibers are extremely fine and float on air. They're almost invisible and nest themselves in the lung where they do their damage. just a bit of a weak seam on your gloves, a puff of air and the fibers are in the air you're breathing....
...and it takes a while to do damage. A while ago I saw a docu on TV related to workers who were in contact with asbestos matter for almost all their work live. Most of these workers died a couple of years after they retitred.
So if you're less than 50 years, I'd recommend caution.

[James]

IIRC Asbestos has two types of fibers. The straight fibers are the ones you have to worry about. The curly fiber don't stick around long enough to day any harm.
Oh yeah, back on topic, I suppose that you could use mylar. However, I'm pretty sure that I am wrong on this count.

[PYRO500]

I would not do this, many people including professionals have gotten hurt/killed doing this same kind of thing.

[Jacks Complete]

To drag up an old thread for an important note...

There is NO difference in toxicity between Blue, White and Brown (or any other type of) asbestos. This is a myth made up by the construction industry lawyers to avoid lawsuits.

All asbestos causes lung cancer, with the same sort of risks as smoking heavily. Working with asbestos and being a smokers gives you a scary high chance of dying from lung cancer, something like 1 in 3!

[Jacks Complete]

To drag up an old thread for an important note...

There is NO difference in toxicity between Blue, White and Brown (or any other type of) asbestos. This is a myth made up by the construction industry lawyers to avoid lawsuits.

All asbestos causes lung cancer, with the same sort of risks as smoking heavily. Working with asbestos and being a smokers gives you a scary high chance of dying from lung cancer, something like 1 in 3!

[Jacks Complete]

To drag up an old thread for an important note...

There is NO difference in toxicity between Blue, White and Brown (or any other type of) asbestos. This is a myth made up by the construction industry lawyers to avoid lawsuits.

All asbestos causes lung cancer, with the same sort of risks as smoking heavily. Working with asbestos and being a smokers gives you a scary high chance of dying from lung cancer, something like 1 in 3!

[malzraa]

Yeah, this sounds really dangerous for very little reward. If this goes wrong, your friend will definitley get a darwin award.

[malzraa]

Yeah, this sounds really dangerous for very little reward. If this goes wrong, your friend will definitley get a darwin award.

[malzraa]

Yeah, this sounds really dangerous for very little reward. If this goes wrong, your friend will definitley get a darwin award.

[Ropik]

According to my very very old book of "magic tricks", when you mix starch, gum and egg yolk, then wet it to paste consistency with water(it must be thick enough to not dripping away or so) and smear it on your hand, you can hold flaming wood directly - as long as the paste is wet, that is. My friend tried it and impressed people by lighting napalm on his hand. The paste dried in about one half minute under the napalm. Maybe is possible to smear clothes with this to make them fire resistant? Use high-proof alcohol for the flames IMHO. However, be DAMN SURE that the paste is wet, otherwise the fire will eat it in seconds.

[Ropik]

According to my very very old book of "magic tricks", when you mix starch, gum and egg yolk, then wet it to paste consistency with water(it must be thick enough to not dripping away or so) and smear it on your hand, you can hold flaming wood directly - as long as the paste is wet, that is. My friend tried it and impressed people by lighting napalm on his hand. The paste dried in about one half minute under the napalm. Maybe is possible to smear clothes with this to make them fire resistant? Use high-proof alcohol for the flames IMHO. However, be DAMN SURE that the paste is wet, otherwise the fire will eat it in seconds.

[Ropik]

According to my very very old book of "magic tricks", when you mix starch, gum and egg yolk, then wet it to paste consistency with water(it must be thick enough to not dripping away or so) and smear it on your hand, you can hold flaming wood directly - as long as the paste is wet, that is. My friend tried it and impressed people by lighting napalm on his hand. The paste dried in about one half minute under the napalm. Maybe is possible to smear clothes with this to make them fire resistant? Use high-proof alcohol for the flames IMHO. However, be DAMN SURE that the paste is wet, otherwise the fire will eat it in seconds.

[Jacks Complete]

This is so stupid.

This thread should be deleted before some idiot actually tries it, and we get shit for them being stupid shitheads who do stupid shit because they read it on a website... Of course, that's one good reason *not* to delete it!

[Jacks Complete]

This is so stupid.

This thread should be deleted before some idiot actually tries it, and we get shit for them being stupid shitheads who do stupid shit because they read it on a website... Of course, that's one good reason *not* to delete it!

[Jacks Complete]

This is so stupid.

This thread should be deleted before some idiot actually tries it, and we get shit for them being stupid shitheads who do stupid shit because they read it on a website... Of course, that's one good reason *not* to delete it!

[Oktogen]

This topic is about how to BURN SOMEONE SAFELY !!! so it shouldn't be delete. I heared about mix of soap, water and twelve hydro aluminium-potassium sulphate ( I don't know its proper name in Englisch, it's used to cure wounds when shaving) and this paste protect body from high temperatures. I think using azbestos blanket is a good idea. I warn you , gasoline/petrol is the worst think to this kind of show. It's hard to extinguish and its flames are extremely hot, it sink in clothes and its vapours are extremely explosive !!!

[Oktogen]

This topic is about how to BURN SOMEONE SAFELY !!! so it shouldn't be delete. I heared about mix of soap, water and twelve hydro aluminium-potassium sulphate ( I don't know its proper name in Englisch, it's used to cure wounds when shaving) and this paste protect body from high temperatures. I think using azbestos blanket is a good idea. I warn you , gasoline/petrol is the worst think to this kind of show. It's hard to extinguish and its flames are extremely hot, it sink in clothes and its vapours are extremely explosive !!!

[Oktogen]

This topic is about how to BURN SOMEONE SAFELY !!! so it shouldn't be delete. I heared about mix of soap, water and twelve hydro aluminium-potassium sulphate ( I don't know its proper name in Englisch, it's used to cure wounds when shaving) and this paste protect body from high temperatures. I think using azbestos blanket is a good idea. I warn you , gasoline/petrol is the worst think to this kind of show. It's hard to extinguish and its flames are extremely hot, it sink in clothes and its vapours are extremely explosive !!!

[Sparky]

I agree that gasoline would be a bad choice. It seems to burn particularly close to the liquid and is hard to blow out.

"I'd go for high-grade grain alcohol. test it by dipping your finger in it and light it. It burns with a pretty cool flame for a while before it really starts to hurt."
-S Toppholzer,

I disagree with you there. I happen to have some concentrated ethanol next to me right now, and I just tried it. Lighting some on my finger immediately starts to hurt.

[Sparky]

I agree that gasoline would be a bad choice. It seems to burn particularly close to the liquid and is hard to blow out.

"I'd go for high-grade grain alcohol. test it by dipping your finger in it and light it. It burns with a pretty cool flame for a while before it really starts to hurt."
-S Toppholzer,

I disagree with you there. I happen to have some concentrated ethanol next to me right now, and I just tried it. Lighting some on my finger immediately starts to hurt.

[Sparky]

I agree that gasoline would be a bad choice. It seems to burn particularly close to the liquid and is hard to blow out.

"I'd go for high-grade grain alcohol. test it by dipping your finger in it and light it. It burns with a pretty cool flame for a while before it really starts to hurt."
-S Toppholzer,

I disagree with you there. I happen to have some concentrated ethanol next to me right now, and I just tried it. Lighting some on my finger immediately starts to hurt.

[Silentnite]

I think the whole point was to have a visible flame. High grade alcohol would burn rather cleanly wouldnt it?

I have tried various liquids(my parents wont take me to the store anymore, good thing I can drive now) and most of the ones I have dealt with give a rather nice blue flame. The only time you get a yellow flame is if it burns dirtily, and therefore wouldnt it take longer to burn? So it would actually get hotter with the dirty flame. I think. :confused:

The funny thing is that you burned yourself. But I have no room to talk, as I no longer have a consistent covering of hair on my hands... :p

[Silentnite]

I think the whole point was to have a visible flame. High grade alcohol would burn rather cleanly wouldnt it?

I have tried various liquids(my parents wont take me to the store anymore, good thing I can drive now) and most of the ones I have dealt with give a rather nice blue flame. The only time you get a yellow flame is if it burns dirtily, and therefore wouldnt it take longer to burn? So it would actually get hotter with the dirty flame. I think. :confused:

The funny thing is that you burned yourself. But I have no room to talk, as I no longer have a consistent covering of hair on my hands... :p

[Silentnite]

I think the whole point was to have a visible flame. High grade alcohol would burn rather cleanly wouldnt it?

I have tried various liquids(my parents wont take me to the store anymore, good thing I can drive now) and most of the ones I have dealt with give a rather nice blue flame. The only time you get a yellow flame is if it burns dirtily, and therefore wouldnt it take longer to burn? So it would actually get hotter with the dirty flame. I think. :confused:

The funny thing is that you burned yourself. But I have no room to talk, as I no longer have a consistent covering of hair on my hands... :p

[Ropik]

Maybe using about 70-85% ethanol, the remainder being water and dissolve table salt in it to get the yellow flame? Actually, the water and salt will probably help to cool the flame and to lenghten the time which the friend has for jumping into pool.

[Ropik]

Maybe using about 70-85% ethanol, the remainder being water and dissolve table salt in it to get the yellow flame? Actually, the water and salt will probably help to cool the flame and to lenghten the time which the friend has for jumping into pool.

[Ropik]

Maybe using about 70-85% ethanol, the remainder being water and dissolve table salt in it to get the yellow flame? Actually, the water and salt will probably help to cool the flame and to lenghten the time which the friend has for jumping into pool.

[Skean Dhu]

Does it have to be full body, why not just an arm or a pant leg, make it look more accidental by having him set up the BBQ grill at the time of the show. Definately wear some thermal underwear material underneath the area to be burned, maybe wrap a space blanket shiny side out. A coating of of fire retarding gel along with wet all natural clothing is a must.

[Skean Dhu]

Does it have to be full body, why not just an arm or a pant leg, make it look more accidental by having him set up the BBQ grill at the time of the show. Definately wear some thermal underwear material underneath the area to be burned, maybe wrap a space blanket shiny side out. A coating of of fire retarding gel along with wet all natural clothing is a must.

[Skean Dhu]

Does it have to be full body, why not just an arm or a pant leg, make it look more accidental by having him set up the BBQ grill at the time of the show. Definately wear some thermal underwear material underneath the area to be burned, maybe wrap a space blanket shiny side out. A coating of of fire retarding gel along with wet all natural clothing is a must.

[nbk2000]

I forsee 3rd degree burns over a large percentage of someones body in the near future. :o

Fire stunts are dangerous by their very nature, and you're trying to replicate something that professional stuntman get a lot of training to do safely, as well as having extensive precautions and an ambulance on hand.

[nbk2000]

I forsee 3rd degree burns over a large percentage of someones body in the near future. :o

Fire stunts are dangerous by their very nature, and you're trying to replicate something that professional stuntman get a lot of training to do safely, as well as having extensive precautions and an ambulance on hand.

[nbk2000]

I forsee 3rd degree burns over a large percentage of someones body in the near future. :o

Fire stunts are dangerous by their very nature, and you're trying to replicate something that professional stuntman get a lot of training to do safely, as well as having extensive precautions and an ambulance on hand.

[-Jack]

I suggest rubbing down with vaseline then spraying him over with starting fluid. It should give a visable blue-yellow flame, possibly with visable darker oranges if you do it in a dark area. Looks good on camera.

As for clothes, you should probably just geth him to strip down to his boxors and maybe a pair of shorts to minimize the chance of clothes catching fire. And like someone else said, avoid putting anything near his head or face.

[-Jack]

I suggest rubbing down with vaseline then spraying him over with starting fluid. It should give a visable blue-yellow flame, possibly with visable darker oranges if you do it in a dark area. Looks good on camera.

As for clothes, you should probably just geth him to strip down to his boxors and maybe a pair of shorts to minimize the chance of clothes catching fire. And like someone else said, avoid putting anything near his head or face.

[-Jack]

I suggest rubbing down with vaseline then spraying him over with starting fluid. It should give a visable blue-yellow flame, possibly with visable darker oranges if you do it in a dark area. Looks good on camera.

As for clothes, you should probably just geth him to strip down to his boxors and maybe a pair of shorts to minimize the chance of clothes catching fire. And like someone else said, avoid putting anything near his head or face.

[Brakkie]

First of all. I don't recommend you doing this. You don't have the right knowledge and skills to do it.

I have had my hand on fire with gasoline. It hurts trust me. I'm glad that it's all healed again. Stuntman use a gel to make sure that the heat can't hurt you. Of course you could use water but water will evaporate pretty quickly because of the heat. You would have to find a way to get some sort of gel or paste that won't evaporate (or at least not within 2 minutes (you need a safety marge)).

What should you need to make a yellow flame???
Well everyone here suggests alcohol. That won't produce a nice yellow flame. The yellow flame means that you don't have a full burning and therefore it gives of non-toxic and toxic fumes. Well at least it gives of fumes ok hehe. The only way to prevent you friend of getting choked by the fumes or make him puke is to get a gasmask. With this you get a new problem the gasmasks is mostly made of plastic and rubber. That would melt and make sure that your friend get hurt.

There is no way of making a yellow flame without making any fumes in my opinion...


If I were you I wouldn't go set my friend on fire. If anything goes wrong than YOU get the blame. Why? You set him on fire! Sure he asked for it but tell that to the judge.

[Brakkie]

First of all. I don't recommend you doing this. You don't have the right knowledge and skills to do it.

I have had my hand on fire with gasoline. It hurts trust me. I'm glad that it's all healed again. Stuntman use a gel to make sure that the heat can't hurt you. Of course you could use water but water will evaporate pretty quickly because of the heat. You would have to find a way to get some sort of gel or paste that won't evaporate (or at least not within 2 minutes (you need a safety marge)).

What should you need to make a yellow flame???
Well everyone here suggests alcohol. That won't produce a nice yellow flame. The yellow flame means that you don't have a full burning and therefore it gives of non-toxic and toxic fumes. Well at least it gives of fumes ok hehe. The only way to prevent you friend of getting choked by the fumes or make him puke is to get a gasmask. With this you get a new problem the gasmasks is mostly made of plastic and rubber. That would melt and make sure that your friend get hurt.

There is no way of making a yellow flame without making any fumes in my opinion...


If I were you I wouldn't go set my friend on fire. If anything goes wrong than YOU get the blame. Why? You set him on fire! Sure he asked for it but tell that to the judge.

[Brakkie]

First of all. I don't recommend you doing this. You don't have the right knowledge and skills to do it.

I have had my hand on fire with gasoline. It hurts trust me. I'm glad that it's all healed again. Stuntman use a gel to make sure that the heat can't hurt you. Of course you could use water but water will evaporate pretty quickly because of the heat. You would have to find a way to get some sort of gel or paste that won't evaporate (or at least not within 2 minutes (you need a safety marge)).

What should you need to make a yellow flame???
Well everyone here suggests alcohol. That won't produce a nice yellow flame. The yellow flame means that you don't have a full burning and therefore it gives of non-toxic and toxic fumes. Well at least it gives of fumes ok hehe. The only way to prevent you friend of getting choked by the fumes or make him puke is to get a gasmask. With this you get a new problem the gasmasks is mostly made of plastic and rubber. That would melt and make sure that your friend get hurt.

There is no way of making a yellow flame without making any fumes in my opinion...


If I were you I wouldn't go set my friend on fire. If anything goes wrong than YOU get the blame. Why? You set him on fire! Sure he asked for it but tell that to the judge.