A warning about latex tubing

[btrettel]

I did something stupid and I think I should tell others about it so they avoid potentially going deaf.

Latex tubing can be used as a simple constant pressure source. I was doing some tests yesterday to determine how quickly the tubing fatigues when I did something stupid.

Important things to note: I was doing the tests against a wall in my bedroom with the door closed right and I did not have hearing protection.

On the second fill of a tube I started hearing some tearing. I vented the tube. I considered stopping there, but I wanted to see how the tube would perform now that it was damaged.

The tube burst nearly immediately after I started filling it, and the burst was extremely loud. It was as loud if not louder than some guns. My ear immediately started ringing and everything sounded muffled.

I had burst latex tubing before with water, and it wasn't loud at all. The air does hold a lot more energy and it should not be underestimated.

I was stupid. If any test involves the possibility of something bursting, do that test outside and wear earplugs.

I already had poor hearing and tinnitus. I think my hearing's a little worse off now, though, not too significantly. I'll visit an audiologist to see precisely what happened. Incidentally, I visited an audiologist about a week ago as I was curious about my hearing, so a direct comparison between my hearing right before and right after can be made.

[SpudBlaster15]

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[jrrdw]

Wow, I can imagine how loud it was because I let a kid use my air hose to pump up his bike tire and he popped it. Sounded like a shot gun going off right beside me, and yes I told him to be carefull...

[POLAND_SPUD]

yeap this is why it isn't the best idea to dry fire your high pressure guns in the basement (and generally indoors)... I learned this the hard way

[btrettel]

Well, I'm worried because I already had poor hearing. My father figures my hearing loss is genetic because he had equally bad hearing at his age. I did some testing and he told me the results were basically identical to his at my age.

I don't think I suffered any significant hearing loss from this incident, but I'll get it checked just in case as I want to keep what I have.

jrrdw, yeah, it was basically that loud. I expected some noise, but I didn't really expect it to be that loud. It was surprising, but in retrospect, I knew better.

I'll sum it up...

Indoor testing = BAD NEWS

[Ranger]

Agreed

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

We did this as a prank at work, door handle connected to one of the air supply ball valves with a piece of string, a short length of latex tubing over the male fitting secured with a cable tie at one end and similarly sealed on the other.

Couple of seconds after the morning shift comes in, tremendous explosion - they were not amused. Everyone else was though.

These days we just use latex gloves, more tolerable

[nibbler125]

whyle on the subject may I add that you should not fill a 2L bottle with 125 psi. Only when this blew up I was holding it at my side and it left my whole side bruised. also all my hearing was gone for A few minutes. for a week it felt like there was water in my ear. the next day my friend found A 4X4 inch hunk of shrapnel 40 yards from the area it blew up from. I consider myself lucky

[mark.f]

A lot of people don't realize how important their hearing is until they lose it. Half the people I work with don't wear ear plugs with 31cc engines roaring right next to their ears.

Good point, though. One time I blew the piston and pumping rod off a cheap basketball pump and it put a nice ding in my door (crushed the hardboard sheathing over the frame).

[Gun Freak]

Haha... reminds me of when my old bike tire popped when me and my brother both rode it at the same time... it was freaking loud lol