The Art of Fire Eating
You will now find and see fire performers in rock bands, music videos, commercials, films, stage productions, casinos and night clubs. NOW IT’S UP TO YOU TO CARRY THE SACRED SECRETS AND ENJOY THE DVD OF BECOMING A SPECTACULAR FIRE PERFORMER.
DISCLAIMER: The following is made in lieu of all warranties, expressed or implied: neither seller or manufacturer shall be liable for any loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, arising out of the use of or the inability to use this information of products in this DVD or booklet. Before using, the user shall determine the suitability of the product for his intended use, and user assumes all risks and liability whatsoever in connection therewith. All goods sold as in thee items must be kept out of reach of children. The material in this DVD and book is intended for the information and guidance of serious adults. It is not for children and should be kept from them. No responsibility accepted for damage to property or injury to person or persons caused by application of the information in this DVE or safety book. PROOF OF AGE – 18 YEARS to purchase this DVD and products contained in this book.
YOU ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE A PERSONAL NOTE:
Brendan and I have been performing with fire for over eighteen years and with our own experiences with fire, we know what could go wrong as we do not want to see or hear of any person or persons that purchase this fire-teaching video to be harmed or injured in anyway as we are both concerned about your well being and safety. This book will guide you through all safety issues and keep you out of dangerous situations. Please be careful, don’t be stupid and don’t be a hero. Please take all our experienced advice and safety precautions and sink this important information into your head as you are taking a risk play with fire.
DECIDE NOW! IT’S YOUR DECISION AND. YOUR OWN RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY
On the other hand fire eating is dynamic, exciting and spectacular, we want you to have fun and hopefully you will become a great and responsible fire eater performer, but please take this instructional DVD seriously, you have the secret to learn this great ancient art, be responsible, be smart and stay SAFE.
Steve Hart & Brendan Montanner
IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUES
• Please at all times keep this DVD away from children and teenagers under the age of Eighteen (18).
• Keep all flammable fuels and liquids in a high and cool place.
• Keep all fuels away from toddlers and children.
• Do not smoke around fuel or liquid.
• If fuel or liquid is swallowed drink a full glass of milk then seek medical help.
• If fuel or liquid gets into eyes, wash with cool running water and dry with a clean towel.
• When practicing with fire please wipe all residue or liquid off the floor and dry with a dry cloth. As it could be slippery and dangerous if walked upon.
Please be careful and enjoy the art of fire eating.
COMMON SENSE
Anyone who includes fire in a performance has a duty not only to himself, but to his audience, and the other acts in his profession.
One mistake, caused by lack of technique or concentration, or by sheer carelessness – the latter being quite unforgivable – can keep other performers out of employment, and worse still can endanger the performer, and the lives of other people.
In other words Fire Eating is NOT for the INEXPERIENCED or the IMMATURE person, be he 16 or 60.
You have got to know what you are doing to do, and be one hundred percent thorough in your preparation beforehand, as well as master of the situation while you are performing.
Fire Eating is dangerous. Find a qualified fie arts instructor to teach you the art of fire eating.
Never attempt to fire eat under the influence of any drug, especially alcohol. Check your fire eating equipment before use to ensure it is free from danger. First practice the motions of fire eating with an unlit skewer. It is important to feel ‘comfortable’ with fire before attempting live fire-eating stunts. ‘Get to know’ your flame and become familiar with the way it burns before practicing fire eating stunts with a live flame.
Finding a good location…
The best spot for fire eating is in a high ceiling area free from overhanging flammable objects that is well ventilated, but without any noticeable breeze. If you are fire eating outdoors, make sure you are in a space that is resistant to wind, and in particular, changes in wind direction.
Unpredictable wind conditions are a major cause of fire eating burns.
Heat goes up…
Remember that! The biggest key to not burning yourself while fire eating or performing other localised fire stunts is that heat rises, and that under the flame is a smart place to be.
Breathing…
It is important to have excellent breath control while fire eating. It is imperative that you NEVER inhale while a flame is in your mouth. This can cause serious burns and poisoning by ingestion of harmful vapours. To prepare your breathing, practice simple breath control by breathing in slowly for 10 counts, holding for 10 counts, then exhaling slowly for another 10 counts. NEVER attempt fire eating while puffed or out of breath. Always be calm, focussed, and in control of your breathing. If you sense you are running out of breath while fire eating, remove the torch IMMEDIATELY.
What’s burning???
The fuel, of course! Which is why choice of fire eating fuel is so important. The role of the wick is to act like a sponge in which to soak up the fuel that will do the burning. Makeshift wicks or those constructed with cotton or cotton wool will deteriorate after just a few uses and may actually begin to burn if not extinguished before the fuel has evaporated out. Always change your cotton wad before your performance.
Alcohol…
Alcohol induces recklessness, impairs reaction times, and reduces muscle control. To breath fire safely requires cares awareness, good timing and good control of your breathing and lips.
IMPORTANT
• Never blow fire if the wind is too strong and never blow against the wind at anytime, always blow with the current of the wind.
Fuels – Never ever use SHELLITE, or LIGHT FLUID, or PETROL for the blow out as it is VERY HIGHLY flammable and could simply run back along the stream of vapour and burn your face, clothing or hair. I would strongly insist in Fire Sol or Parraffin lamp oil or kerosene and can be purchased at any hardware store.
DO NOT USE SHELL LITE, LIGHTER FLUID, PETROL FOR BLOW OUT
You will certainly pay the price WHEN DEALING WITH FIRE
Always be careful where people are standing when you are performing, make sure they are at least 10 feet away from you. Watch out for wandering toddlers and children as they might become excited and run towards you, watch out and be extra careful when performing in smaller venues, keep a careful eye on people standing close to your torches, and extra careful when performing in crowded night-clubs, restaurants, and street festival parades.
STAGE CURTAINS
• Always be extra careful where you spray your fuel of flame.
• If you are performing on a stage, please keep clear of curtains as they could catch a light in seconds if not careful.
• Stay a good distance away from the audience and do not spray towards the audience.
AIR C0NDITIONING
• Check for air conditioning and where the current of air is blowing as some club stages have air conditioning blowing down or across the stage, this is also caused by doors opened aside of stage, drafts are common especially in theatres, so check before you perform to have all doors closed for your performance.
TRAVELLING WITH FIRE FUEL
• Carry fuel in a proper “approved” fuel tin can and mark it clearly. (Fire – eating fuel DANGER).
• Always keep closed and sealed and away from children and toddlers.
AIRCRAFTS
• Never ever think about carrying fuel on aircrafts as there are heavy fines and penalties even imprisonment.
• If travelling interstate or overseas arrange with client to have fuel at their end ready for your performance.
FIRE EXSTINGUISHERS
• Always carry a small fire extinguisher/fire blanket and always especially a first aid kit containing bandages and burn cream. Keep at side of stage or close to where you are performing.
You can purchase the items in any major shopping store, car auto shop or hardware store.
WHEN FINISHED PERFORMING
Pour your liquid fuel back into a fuel container.
Do not pour fuel into a sink or toilet bowl as sometimes back stage people smoke and throw their cigarette butts into the toile bowls, this could start a fire. As for people sitting on the toilet they would be sitting on a time bomb if they dropped their cigarette into the bowl. Have common sense and dispose of your fire fuel into a container, close tightly and put away.
Do not leave any residue on the stage floor, wipe up as it could be slippery and dangerous, caution other acts on after you, especially dancers.
VENUES
If you are performing at a venue please talk to management as they would need to isolate fire alarms or smoke detectors before you perform, as most venues are very strict with fire regulations.
A client may call you for your performance at their special event or function, please advise them to contact the venue in which the function will be held and talk to management about the fire performance. You would not want to turn up at a function and be told by security that you are not able to perform with fire, some venues are okay and can isolate the fire alarms within 20 to 30 minutes, other venues can range from 1 to 2 days notice as they need to consult with management or security to isolate the alarms and sprinklers.
I have seen and heard of some instances where fire performers, rock bands with smoke machines have not told management, as fire alarms being set off and fire brigades arriving at the venue.
WHO HAS TO PAY THE FIRE BRIGADE BILL?
YOU – $500 to $1500
So please be careful and be one step ahead.
FIRE TORCHES
Always carry two to four torches, each torch can last up to three minutes, when finished pick up a new fresh torch. This is good and safe advice for podium fire-eaters as you are usually on stage for one or two dance numbers, that’s around six minutes, a torch could wear out and the cotton wad could fall apart or smoulder, it is safer not to dip a smouldering torch into a bowl of fuel as it could set alight. The best way and absolutely the safest way is to place the old torches down and replace with one or two fresh torches.
THE BOWL OF FUEL
The bowl of fuel needs to be heavy duty metal, do not use plastic bowls as liquid can burn through. I would strongly recommend a heavy duty chrome champagne bucket and place the tin of fluid into the champagne bucket. You can purchase a champagne bucket at any kitchen or food catering product store. Also a chrome champagne bucket stand in which you can place the bucket into. This looks very professional, looks great on stage and is much safer than having the bowl on the floor, as you can trip over your bucket and spill the fuel all over the stage. When performing fire-eating, always stay 5 feet away from the bowl and especially when performing the blow out. The bowl should be well behind you.
DO NOT HAVE THE BOWL IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN PERFORMING THE BLOW OUT.
DO NOT light up your torch above the bowl of liquid dip, shake, then walk 5 feet away from the bowl then ignite the torch.
CONCLUSION:
Please have this safety information booklet always, as it will help and guide you to succeed as being a responsible, SAFE, SMART and SPECTACULAR Fire Performer.
BURNS: First aid
To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the degree and the extent of damage to body tissues. The three classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care.
First-degree burn
The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) is burned. The skin is usually red, with a swelling and pain sometimes present. The outer layer of skin hasn’t been burned through. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint.
Second-degree burn
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is termed a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling.
If the second-degree burn is no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger of it the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, get medical help immediately.
For minor burns, including second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, take the following action:
• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least 5 minutes, or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don’t put ice on the burn.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don’t use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burned skin, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Never give aspirin to children or teenagers.
Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different colour from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old – doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.
Caution
• Don’t use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin.
• Don’t break blisters. Broken blisters are vulnerable to infection.
STEVE HART and BRENDAN MONTANNER www.MagicianAustralia.com.au would like to personally thank GERALD TAYLOR for his helpful advice and his generosity and guidance in the making of this Fire Eating Teaching DVD
About the Author
An enthusiastic person who enjoys helping people on the internet with information that may be of some assistance, which may or may not make a difference in their lives.
I guess, as an author, one should get the information out on the internet, make sure its right and has integrity, and help people in some way or other.
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