Two Florida students were found dead inside a large, deflated helium balloon that they apparently pulled down to earth and crawled inside, Tampa police said.

The bodies of Jason Ackerman and Sara Rydman, both 21, were found Saturday partially inside a deflated helium balloon at the entrance of a condominium complex near Tampa.

The 2.4-metre balloon was being used to advertise the complex.

"It was more a fun thing they thought they were doing," said Linda Rydman, mother of Sara Rydman, adding that the two were apparently breathing helium from the balloon to make their voices go higher.

But the U.S. Compressed Gas Association warned that inhaling helium is dangerous because it can quickly lead to brain damage and death from lack of oxygen.

The county medical examiner said Sunday the official cause of death will not be released for six weeks, until toxicology results come back.


To quote one of the forum regulars: "Nothing kills more people than a lack of oxygen to the brain."

It's realtively* safe to take a quick breath of helium, as long as you return to breathing air right after. Immersing yourself in a completely oxygenless environment is not good. Which makes you wonder why people lock themselves in their garage with the car on to kill themselves. At least give your self the joy of talking like a chipmunk before you die.**

* As a former employee of a gas company, I cannot condone helium inhalation.

** As a Christian, I cannot condone suicide.

Sock wrote:

Isn't helium flammable?

No, no it isn't.