A fire breather is a stunt performer who gives the appearance of exhaling fire by blowing a mist of combustible fuel over an open flame, usually at the end of a hand-held torch. Though fire breathing has been used in Hindu spiritual ceremonies, it has also become a popular feature of Western events such as circuses and alternative music festivals since the late 1800s. The use of flame and fuel in fire breathing displays can be visually impressive, but they can also be extremely dangerous; as a result, the performer should be well-rehearsed and take all possible safety precautions to protect himself and his audience.
A fire breather requires two basic items before performing his stunt: a torch and fuel. The size, shape, and material of the torch can vary depending on the performer’s preferences and experience. Some breathers start with a torch made from a reshaped wire coat hanger with a pure cotton wick affixed to the top. The wick size will be adjusted to meet the needs and preferences of the breather, but it should be noted that a larger wick will result in a larger flame.
Fuel is crucial to the success of a fire breathing stunt. When selecting a fuel, keep in mind its flash point, or the lowest temperature at which it will catch fire when it comes into contact with a source of ignition. Low flash point fuels, such as butane, ethyl alcohol, and gasoline, can potentially ignite close to the face, increasing the risk of the fire breather being burned; as a result, these fuels are usually avoided. Many breathers agree that kerosene and lamp oil are the best performance fuels because they have high flash points compared to other potential fuels.
The fire breather can perform his illusion with these tools. He should light the wick with one hand while holding his torch in the other, then point the flame away from his body. He should then put a small amount of fuel in his mouth, being careful not to swallow it, and spray it in a light mist toward the flame through his lips. The fuel mist will quickly ignite when it comes into contact with the torch’s flame, giving the impression that the breather has exhaled fire. After breathing, he should immediately wipe any traces of fuel from his mouth and face with a flame-resistant cloth to reduce the risk of catching fire if his plume drifts back toward him.
With practice, the fire breather can fine-tune his technique to perform a wide range of stunts. He might learn to direct the plume of flame toward the ground, or to shape it into an arc or a circle, for example. He might perform synchronized stunts or pass plumes back and forth with one or more other breathers.
It is critical for breathers to be aware of the dangers associated with fire art. The potential harm that fuel ingestion can cause is perhaps the most pressing of these concerns. Even so-called “safe” fuels like kerosene, when inhaled, can cause nausea, headaches, and a more serious condition called chemical pneumonia. In addition to the burn risks associated with low flash point fuels, long-term ingestion of many of these substances has the potential to cause cancer or blindness.
Finally, the breather should take precautions to prevent himself, his audience, or his surroundings from catching fire. He should dress in flame-resistant clothing and keep a safe distance from onlookers. In addition, he should survey his surroundings before performing a stunt, making adjustments for potential fire hazards such as tree branches and high winds. Before performing in front of an audience, a breather should get plenty of practice, preferably under the supervision of an experienced performer. Regardless of one’s level of experience, it’s important to remember that in such a dangerous art form, accidents are always a possibility.