Skip to main content

A Sleeping Giant by Marshall Peterson

We share a great amount of information with employees and customers alike to ensure safe interaction with the gases and cylinders we sell. The following poem creatively illustrates the potential danger of pressurized gas. Some of you may recognize this as we have it posted in our store, as well as on our website. Though we do not intend to scare anyone away from using helium or the like, it's important to recognize the risks associated with gas under pressure. It commands great care and respect, as you'll see.


A Sleeping Giant


I am a compressed gas cylinder.
I weigh in at 175 pounds with or without gas.
I am pressurized at 2,200 pounds per square inch (psi).
I have a wall thickness of about ¼ inch.
I stand 57 inches tall.
I am 9 inches in diameter.
I wear a cap when not in use.
I wear valves, gauges, and hoses when at work.
I wear many colors and bands to tell what tasks I perform.
I transform miscellaneous stacks of material into glistening ships and many other things when properly used.
I transform glistening ships and many other things into miscellaneous stacks of material when allowed to unleash my fury unchecked.
I am ruthless and deadly in the hands of the careless or uninformed.
I am too frequently left standing alone on my small base with my cap removed or lost by an unthinking workman.
Then I am ready to be toppled over, my naked valve can be snapped off and all of my power can be unleashed through an opening no larger than a lead pencil.

I am proud of my capabilities!! Here are a few of them:
  • I have been known to jet away faster than any dragster.
  • I smash my way through brick walls with the greatest of ease.
  • I fly through the air and reach distances of half a mile or more.
  • I spin, ricochet, crash, and slash through anything in my path.
  • I scoff at the puny efforts of human flesh, bone, and muscle to change my erratic course.
  • I can, under certain conditions, rupture or explode – you read of these exploits in the newspapers.

You can be my master only under my terms:
  • Full or empty, see to it that my cap is on, straight and snug.
  • Never...I repeat, never leave me standing alone.
  • Keep me in a secure rack, in a corner, or tie me so that I cannot fall.

TREAT ME WITH RESPECT...FOR I AM A SLEEPING GIANT


-Marshall Peterson A.M.A



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Helium Cylinder Refills

At Helium Xpress, we can and do refill helium cylinders. However, there are certain criteria that must be met for us to legally and safely do so. Please note if you purchased a Balloon Time kit from a store such as Party City or Walmart, these tanks are disposable and cannot be refilled. If you have an industrial cylinder, please continue to determine your refill eligibility. Who Owns the Cylinder? This may sound like a trick question, but it's not. The answer to this question provides us with valid and important information regarding whether or not we can refill your cylinder. You might believe you are the owner of the cylinder because it's been on your property for as a long as you can remember, it has a self-made tag with your business name on it or because you personally paid for the cylinder. However, in some cases, it's still not your cylinder. This is why it's very important to purchase helium cylinders from a trusted source. Let us explain. The owner
Read more

Cylinder Sizes

We often get asked for height and weight measurements of helium cylinders. Whether you're renting or purchasing, it's good to know exactly what you're getting. It needs to meet your needs with regards to output, but in many cases, it also needs to be easily transported. If you plan to be mobile while using your cylinder, make sure it's something you're comfortable transporting. Will you be able load it into a vehicle unassisted? If not, will someone be available to help you? Do you plan on transporting it a lot or just occasionally? These are just a few questions to ask yourself when deciding on a cylinder size. Consider the following information to assist in your decision-making. Small Cylinder 55 cu. ft. Inflates approximately 65 12" latex balloons Stands 27" tall and is approximately 8.5" in diameter Weighs in at 26 lbs.* (aluminum cylinder) Medium Cylinder 125 cu. ft. Inflates approximately 200 12" latex balloons Stands
Post a Comment
Read more

HX Loyalty Program for Large Cylinders

Chances are you've heard about or read up on our loyalty program. We've had such a great response to this program that now we're taking it one step further. Many of you asked if the program extended to large cylinders and we're happy to announce that now it does! Here's the breakdown... A large cylinder alone costs $300.00. You still need to fill it with helium and purchase a valve. We recommend purchasing a valve with a gauge so that you can monitor the amount of helium you have in your cylinder. This would cost $524.95. As you know, we granted massive discounts for small and medium-sized cylinders. And our newest program for large cylinders is no different. Now, you can purchase a large cylinder (full of helium) and a valve with a gauge for just $420! When you need it refilled, just pay $145*! Compare it to our other size options and see which one works for you . Written by: Miriam E. Medellin *Edited on July 24, 2019 to reflect price increase
Post a Comment
Read more