What the Hell Were They Studying? Not Science...

Elspode · 06-04-2006, 10:58 PM

LUTZ, Fla. - Two college students were found dead inside a large, deflated helium balloon after apparently pulling it down and crawling inside it, officials said.

The deaths of Jason Ackerman and Sara Rydman, both 21, appear to be accidental, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Maj. Bob Schrader said.

Their bodies were found Saturday partially inside a deflated helium balloon at the entrance of a condominium complex a few miles north of Tampa. The 8-foot-diameter balloon was used to advertise the complex.

"It was more a fun thing they thought they were doing," said Linda Rydman, whose daughter was found dead. "You know how you blow up the balloon and suck the helium."

The county medical examiner said Sunday that the cause of death won't be released for six weeks, until toxicology results come back.

Inhaling helium can quickly lead to brain damage and death from lack of oxygen, according to the Compressed Gas Association, which develops safety standards in the gas industry.

Ibby · 06-05-2006, 02:41 AM

Wow, what a way to go. The last thing they heard was mickey mouse's death cry. Or maybe Geddy Lee's.

06-05-2006, 02:53 AM

It seems that a suicide pact was ruled out. Apparently, the deceased did not check the OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in the condominium office before messing with the balloon! It's a crying shame when thinning the herd means taking out people in the prime of life.

Ibby · 06-05-2006, 03:34 AM

Can you say, Darwin Award?

Beestie · 06-05-2006, 03:49 AM

I'm not sure what they were studying but what they got, unfortunately, was a lesson in organic chemistry.

BigV · 06-05-2006, 10:09 AM

Am I the only one who remembers being smacked on the head when I put a plastic bag over my face as a child? "You'll suffocate!" Yeah, right, mom. I guess she was right. Moe-rons.

Urbane Guerrilla · 06-05-2006, 05:32 PM

Second the notion, Ibram. Any alcohol involvement? -- that might knock them to second or third runner-up. But doing this cold sober is definitely Darwin Award material.

Happy Monkey · 06-05-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

But doing this cold sober is definitely Darwin Award material.

Definitely. In more ways than one, actually. First, a human ought to be smarter than that. Second, it would be nice if our "suffocation" instinct were triggered by O2 deprivation as well as CO2 buildup. Though I suppose these deaths won't do much for the latter...

xoxoxoBruce · 06-05-2006, 08:51 PM

21 years old and obviously not prepared to make rational choices.

Elspode · 06-05-2006, 11:19 PM

I just pray that they had the presence of mind to sing "We are the Lollipop League" before they succumbed.

06-05-2006, 11:59 PM

I guess they thought they'd get a super shot of "laughing gas" like at the dentist's or something. Maybe someone should sue the dentist they went to.

As a former victim of O2 deprivation, I can tell you that there last moments were probably hallucinatory and they didn't know what hit them. Its unlikely they suffered. There's that much at least.

Poor, dumb kids.

wolf · 06-06-2006, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

I just pray that they had the presence of mind to sing "We are the Lollipop League" before they succumbed.

*phweeet!!*

Flag on the play!

Loss of pop culture yardage ... that's "Lullaby League" or "Lollipop Guild."

Offense has to rewatch the movie before it's shown on TCM on Thanksgiving Night.

Resume play.

*phweeet!!*

Griff · 06-06-2006, 06:35 AM

We represent the Lullaby League, The Lullaby League, The Lullaby League
And in the name of the Lullaby League,
We wish to welcome you to Munchkinland.
We represent the Lollypop Guild, The Lollypop Guild, The Lollypop Guild
And in the name of the Lollypop Guild,
We wish to welcome you to Muchkinland.
We welcome you to Munchkinland, Tra la la la la la la
From now on you'll be history.
You'll be history, you'll be history, you'll be history.
And we will glorify your name.
You will be a bust, be a bust, be a bust
In the Hall of Fame!

Kitsune · 06-06-2006, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibram

Or maybe Geddy Lee's.

Salesmen!

Elspode · 06-06-2006, 11:24 AM

I am completely embarassed, and am presently flogging myself with a pair of red and white striped stockings.

06-04-2006, 10:58 PM	#1
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	What the Hell Were They Studying? Not Science... LUTZ, Fla. - Two college students were found dead inside a large, deflated helium balloon after apparently pulling it down and crawling inside it, officials said. The deaths of Jason Ackerman and Sara Rydman, both 21, appear to be accidental, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Maj. Bob Schrader said. Their bodies were found Saturday partially inside a deflated helium balloon at the entrance of a condominium complex a few miles north of Tampa. The 8-foot-diameter balloon was used to advertise the complex. "It was more a fun thing they thought they were doing," said Linda Rydman, whose daughter was found dead. "You know how you blow up the balloon and suck the helium." The county medical examiner said Sunday that the cause of death won't be released for six weeks, until toxicology results come back. Inhaling helium can quickly lead to brain damage and death from lack of oxygen, according to the Compressed Gas Association, which develops safety standards in the gas industry. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

06-05-2006, 02:41 AM	#2
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	Wow, what a way to go. The last thing they heard was mickey mouse's death cry. Or maybe Geddy Lee's. __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

06-05-2006, 03:34 AM	#4
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	Can you say, Darwin Award? __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

06-05-2006, 03:49 AM	#5
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	I'm not sure what they were studying but what they got, unfortunately, was a lesson in organic chemistry. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

06-05-2006, 10:09 AM	#6
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Am I the only one who remembers being smacked on the head when I put a plastic bag over my face as a child? "You'll suffocate!" Yeah, right, mom. I guess she was right. Moe-rons. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-05-2006, 02:53 AM	#3
NoBoxes Guest Posts: n/a	It seems that a suicide pact was ruled out. Apparently, the deceased did not check the OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in the condominium office before messing with the balloon! It's a crying shame when thinning the herd means taking out people in the prime of life.

06-05-2006, 05:32 PM	#7
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Second the notion, Ibram. Any alcohol involvement? -- that might knock them to second or third runner-up. But doing this cold sober is definitely Darwin Award material. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

06-05-2006, 08:51 PM	#9
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	21 years old and obviously not prepared to make rational choices. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-05-2006, 11:19 PM	#10
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	I just pray that they had the presence of mind to sing "We are the Lollipop League" before they succumbed. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

06-05-2006, 11:59 PM	#11
marichiko Guest Posts: n/a	I guess they thought they'd get a super shot of "laughing gas" like at the dentist's or something. Maybe someone should sue the dentist they went to. As a former victim of O2 deprivation, I can tell you that there last moments were probably hallucinatory and they didn't know what hit them. Its unlikely they suffered. There's that much at least. Poor, dumb kids.

06-06-2006, 06:35 AM	#13
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	We represent the Lullaby League, The Lullaby League, The Lullaby League And in the name of the Lullaby League, We wish to welcome you to Munchkinland. We represent the Lollypop Guild, The Lollypop Guild, The Lollypop Guild And in the name of the Lollypop Guild, We wish to welcome you to Muchkinland. We welcome you to Munchkinland, Tra la la la la la la From now on you'll be history. You'll be history, you'll be history, you'll be history. And we will glorify your name. You will be a bust, be a bust, be a bust In the Hall of Fame! __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

06-06-2006, 11:24 AM	#15
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	I am completely embarassed, and am presently flogging myself with a pair of red and white striped stockings. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

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