College students found dead inside balloon

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."

more . . .
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060604/ap_on_re_us/brf_balloon_deaths

what were they thinking????

they do not have access to it, they die.

Darwin Awards for these two. Were they drunk or high, or just a sad example of scientific ignorance?

(before I get jumped on, I'm sad that they're dead. How absolutely awful for their families. What a waste of young life.)

My kids are reaching college age, and this is one to which they won't be going.

Oxygen: It's a good thing, and helium balloons don't have it.

especially the mom's comments.

if they crawled in, there must have been a hole in the balloon.

If there was a hole, how did the helium stay in?

of the ballon. The denser air pressure underneath it will hold it in.

I would think even a 21 year old would know that. Wonder if they were stoned?

You expect them to know the difference between helium and oxygen?

Sadly, there are people in this country who are tragically stupid. Their parents should take care of that, but they expect the schools to do it. The schools could do it, except they are so money strapped they can't afford enough teachers, and to time strapped by testing requirements all they can do is shove crap into kids short term memories for the next test. Life time skills just plain aren't being taught in schools anymore.

Hell, at least I grew up with Scholastic Rock. I've talked with kids who RESENTED being FORCED to watch that.

We're Dooooomed.