Hello Everyone. Although I have used the Forum and Search for information and help, this is the first time I have used the Chat.

I am a female twister in need of advice about mouth inflation and the influence they feel this has on their twisting persona in general.  I have a wonderful pump (Thanks Andy, your are the best and I love my pump!) however I still have not mastered mouth inflation and now am questioning how many FEMALES out there feel that is it necessary for your personna and speed as a twister.  My male twisting mentors say they almost never use their pumps!!  

Personally, I feel mouth inflation is impressive - I guess that is why I want so badly to be able to do it, but I could really use the extra speed too. So, I would really like to know how much of a difference mouth vs. pump has made in other ladies twisting efforts and in their speed, especially some of the awe inspiring women who use this site.

Hi there, when you are working away at speed and a large queue, keep it simple and get a good quality pump, like a filbert or similar and do not worry yourself. Whilst its impressive to blow by mouth, in reality, on a busy job, not realistic or you will end up doing yourself an injury.
Hope this helps, Ali.

Mouth inflate!!! and stop talking???

Whenever out on a gig and get asked why I dont I always answer "What and stop talking? is that not what my mouth is for?"

Come on I had to get in first with this one!!!

Pam
xx

good point Pam!

Thanks for the advice and you are right..... I don't stop talking long enough to blow up balloons - what was I thinking?  Great line Pam.... it will get lots of use!

The only times I wish I could mouth inflate are the times when I'm NOT working and run across one of my "fans" (like when out grocery shopping).  Carrying a hand pump around with me for such occasions just isn't practical.

From time to time I get kidded about not mouth inflating and my reply is always a version of this:  "Well my boss told me I had to stop mouthing inflating - that me passing out and falling down all the time just didn't look good." The reply never fails to get a chuckle.

The speed I lose by not mouth inflating I make up for by using practiced, practical designs suitable for the event I'm working.  

Happy twisting,
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady

I used to mouth inflate all the time, but I stopped.  It caused me pain in my chest and quite honestly people were more entertained by the pump than me mouth inflating.  The big pump blows the balloon up ion one smooth move and for some reason people find it amusing.  I don't honestly think mouth inflation is good for you.

I always mouth inflate, I personally find it looks good and I know how much air goes in......since mouth inflating I have beaten my asthma too...... I have found that it is more technique than skill or lung strength and using your cheek muscles and keeping them tight.......( that doesn't sound right!)
I don't like pumps but I've not tried the filbert or others but own a twist n flate which is loud and annoying!!
I think the most important thing is entertaining the receiver of the balloon/audience/table and having fun
Norm.

Rachel and I always use pumps - I can mouth inflate but Rachel cannot. I rarely do though as I just never got the technique exactly right and it hurts my cheeks - I had one gig early on when I mouth-inflated all the balloons and ended up looking like a gerbil!

The only time I mouth inflate a 260 is if I am doing a spiral, although Rachel does this the 2 pump way. We prefer using pumps as it is quicker for us (especially seeing as we use filberts) and allows us to talk and interact more when twisting. We have never seen it as a problem.

If anyone ever asks whether we can blow up balloons by mouth, or asks why we don't - then we just say that we do not for health reasons, as if we blow into a balloon then there is a risk of passing on germs if we have any - like if we have a bit of a cold or flu.
I remember being told that in some restaurants in some states in the US they do not allow mouth-inflation at all because of this.

good luck with whichever method you choose.