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Easy CO2-powered Squib for Self-contained Blood and Gunshot Special Effects
by RavingMadStudios on November 18, 2009 Table of Contents Easy CO2-powered Squib for Self-contained Blood and Gunshot Special Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: Easy CO2-powered Squib for Self-contained Blood and Gunshot Special Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: You Will Need: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Start the Effect Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Assemble the Power-Unit-to-Effect-Tube Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Attach the Effect Tube Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Finish the Effect Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 6: Load the Squib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 7: Put the Squib onto the Actor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 8: Triggering the Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 9: Credits and Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 8 9

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

Author:RavingMadStudios
Jack of all trades, master of a couple. Eclectic interests combined with a short attention span make me just knowledgeable enough to be really dangerous.

Intro: Easy CO2-powered Squib for Self-contained Blood and Gunshot Special Effects
So you're doing a play, making a film, staging a zombie massacre for Halloween or whatever, and you need a special effect to simulate a person being shot. You don't have access to a licensed pyrotechnician, so explosive squibs like they use in the movies are not an option. You're on a limited budget, but you still want a good-looking, energetic effect that doesn't require complicated materials or rigging, leaves your actor free to move around, and doesn't require any big, bulky equipment to hide in your actor's costume. It has to be safe. You need this by tomorrow. WHAT DO YOU DO? Well, here's one solution: Using inexpensive, readily available off-the-shelf materials, you assemble an actor-operated, CO2 cartridge powered squib that can create a blood spray up to 12 feet away, and you do it for around $30. The project is saved! Here's how you do it. NEW! Check out this great video from member timlogik showing the effect in use by Amber's Sweets, his Repo! The Genetic Opera live performance cast. Thanks, Tim!

Step 1: You Will Need:

Materials: One CO2 bike tire inflator * One CO2 cartridge that fits your inflator One Hose Barb air nozzle adaptor ** Three feet of 1/2" vinyl tubing One push-fit splice connector for 1/2" vinyl tubing (optional) *** Duct Tape One small hose clamp (optional, but recommended - not pictured) Vinyl cement Blu-tack or low-tack masking tape a banana (not pictured) Some fake blood Tools: A hobby knife Scissors A vise, or a set of locking pliers A marinating needle or large hypodermic needle * You want an inflator that has a trigger valve as opposed to a push-to-fill valve. Also, you want one that screws into the Schrader valve on the bike tire, and ideally one that can accept multiple sizes of CO2 cartridge with both threaded and non-threaded tops. Mine cost $20.00 at the local bike shop, but they can be found cheaper at

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

places like Walmart, or online. ** Usually found in packages of pneumatic air nozzle accessories - about $3.00 at Lowe's *** This is just to make loading the banana plugs easier. If you don't mind taking the tube off of the hose barb to reload, you can skip it.

Step 2: Start the Effect Tube

Cut off about three inches of the vinyl tubing and set it aside. Take the remaining long piece of vinyl tubing and squirt just a little dab of vinyl cement into the end of the tube, making sure to get cement all around the top 1/2" of the tube without any gaps. Don't worry if it drips a little further into the tubing. Place the cemented end of the tube into the jaws of a vise, a set of locking pliers or a C-clamp, and clamp tightly. Leave to cure for about 8 hours. While you're waiting for the glue to dry, do the next few steps.

Step 3: Assemble the Power-Unit-to-Effect-Tube Interface

Wow, that almost sounds complicated. Take the tire inflator in one hand. Take the hose barb in the other hand. Screw the hose barb into the threads on the tire inflator. It should screw in easily, as the hose barb should use the same threads as the inflator. That's it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

Step 4: Attach the Effect Tube Base

Take the short piece of tubing that you cut off in Step 1. Push one end of the tubing into the splice connector. Slide the other end of the tubing over the hose barb as far as it will go. It should fit pretty snugly. Secure the tubing to the hose barb with a piece of duct tape. OPTIONAL, BUT RECOMMENDED Further secure the tubing to the hose barb by placing a small hose clamp over the tubing and tightening the hose clamp screw. This helps prevent the tubing from being blown off of the barb by the force of the CO2 when the squib is activated.

Image Notes 1. A hose clamp here is sometimes very helpful.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

Image Notes 1. Duct tape can also work, but the hose clamp would be stronger.

Step 5: Finish the Effect Tube

Once the vinyl glue has cured, remove the effect tube from the clamping device. The end of the tube should be flat and fused closed. Using a hobby knife, carefully cut a small hole about 3/4" down from the fused section. The hole should be about 1/8" in diameter, and irregularly shaped in order to produce a spray of blood rather than a squirt. Unless you want a squirt, that is. In that case make the hole as perfectly round as you can. Maybe use a drill bit.... If, after testing your squib, you find that it sprays too far or too fine a mist, simply enlarge the hole with scissors or a hobby knife until you get the effect you want. Once your hole is cut, push the other end of the tubing into the open end of the push-fit splice, and you're done with assembly.

Image Notes 1. Flat and fused. Just like I like 'em. 2. Irregularly shaped hole.

Image Notes 1. Cutting the hole with a hobby knife. Rust is optional.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

Image Notes 1. The push-fit splice connector. If you want a smaller or larger diameter effect tube, you could use a reducing fitting here instead.

Step 6: Load the Squib

First, power up the squib by inserting a CO2 cartridge* into the inflator. My inflator has a handle that unscrews from the valve assembly, so you just drop the CO2 into the handle and screw it back on. Your inflator may work differently. If your inflator has a safety, engage it before loading the CO2. Then, remove the open end of the effect tube from the push-fit connector. Cut a slice of banana about 1/2" thick and shove the end of the tube into it, creating a banana plug. Push the effect tube back into the splice connector. The banana plug is to help keep the blood from getting into the valve and gumming up the works. It will get pulverized and blow out the hole when the effect is triggered. Fill your marinating needle or large syringe with stage blood (if you need to make your own, I'm rather fond of this formula). Insert the needle into the small hole in the closed end of the tube, and fill the tube with blood. Wipe any excess blood off of the outside of the tube, and seal the hole with a small piece of Blu-Tac or masking tape. Use only enough to barely cover the hole to prevent leaking. (TIP: If you need to camoflage the effect so that it is less noticeable under your actor's costume, use a white version of Blu-Tac, such as Handi-Tac. Then color the putty with a Sharpie to match the color of the costume.) * A word about CO2 cartridges: A 16-gram threaded cartridge costs about $3.00 at the bike shop. A 12-gram unthreaded cartridge (the same one used in BB and paintball guns) costs about $0.50 at Walmart. You do the math. Get a tire inflator that can accept unthreaded 12-grams. Really.

Image Notes 1. Drop in the CO2...

Image Notes 1. ...and tighten. 2. This is the safety switch on my inflator. "On" is good.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

Image Notes 1. The banana plug is here. 2. You could also put it here, if you want to.

Image Notes 1. Insert the blurry needle into the blurry hole.

Image Notes 1. Filling the tube. 2. OK, you got me. This isn't stage blood, it's tempera paint. I spilled all my stage blood before I got to this stage of the picture-taking.

Image Notes 1. Sealed with Blu-Tac. I didn't color the putty because I like to pretend I'm shooting a Smurf.

Step 7: Put the Squib onto the Actor

Simply tape the tube to the actor in the position you want the shot to be, with the hole facing outward away from the actor's body. Run the trigger assembly through a hole into the actor's pocket, hang it in the actor's beltloop, or place it anywhere else that it will be concealed from the audience/camera but still accessible to the actor. Put the actor's costume on over the effect tube and make a small slit in the costume directly over the Blu-Tac plug. The larger the slit, the more blood will fly through the air. The smaller the slit, the more blood will stay on the costume. You are now ready to trigger the effect.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

Image Notes 1. Duct tape is like the Force....

Image Notes 1. Yes, that is a squib in my pocket and no, I'm not just happy to see you.

Step 8: Triggering the Effect

(Sorry no pictures yet.) When the time comes, all the actor has to do is casually reach into his pocket (or wherever the trigger is), flip the safety off and squeeze a short burst on the trigger. Blood goes everywhere. The actor falls down and plays dead. Cut, print, and that's a wrap. It only takes a very short burst to make the effect work. CO2 expands very energetically, and is stored at very high pressure. A little goes a long way.

Step 9: Credits and Comments

First of all, let me say that this entire project was inspired by Crosius' amazing Pneumatic Squib Tutorial, which I consider to be a superior design in practically every way. The CO2 squib came about as I was waiting for the parts I ordered to build 8 of Crosius' version to arrive in the mail, and I started thinking about how to duplicate the effect without any specialized parts, and for less money. Due to minimum part order requirements for the miniature pneumatic parts, Crosius' design will cost about $120 to build the first one if you don't have any of the parts on hand already, which may not be within the budget of the small theatre or filmmaker. If you need 5 or 10 of them, the cost per unit drops to about $40 each, making the CO2 version not much of a cost savings at all. Crosius' version is also more flexible (you can vary the pressure to vary the effect), more concealable (especially with a minor mod to the trigger assembly. See the Comments section of the Pneumatic Squib Tutorial for details), and daisy-chainable. If you need multiple squibs, build his design. It's just better. On the other hand, if you only need one or two and are on a tight time or money budget, the CO2 squib may meet your needs just fine. Enjoy.

Related Instructables

Simple Set-mounted PVC Blood Cannon for Theatre Special Effects by

Washable, Nonstaining Stage Blood by the Gallon by RavingMadStudios

Cheap, reliable, easily mass produced squibs for gunshot fx by tastysoup

Hollywood Gunshot Blood Effect! by Kipkay

How to make a Blood Shooter by indymogul

flat-pack explosive (squib) by drboom

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

RavingMadStudios

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 56 comments

flipnoffthewalls says:
Hey, I'm a little confused about the banana plug. Do I need it for this squib to function?

Feb 27, 2011. 10:10 AM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:

Feb 28, 2011. 1:24 PM REPLY Not really. It just helps to keep blood out of the valve so that it doesn't get stuck or clogged, and gives the gas something solid to push on. The squib still works without it, you just get frothier blood. Since I was using a detergent-based blood, it was helpful in reducing foam.

BlindXX says:

Oct 28, 2010. 2:21 AM REPLY This looks great. I do a Halloween play every year (Make-up and Effects) and have one question - what sort of insurance do I need? I already have the usual - public liability and standard make-up artist insurance that covers the creation and application of prosthetics. I live in the UK, so that may make a difference. I desperately want gun-shot wounds in next year's play!

RavingMadStudios says:

Oct 30, 2010. 11:25 AM REPLY Sorry, I have no idea whether you would need any additional coverage or not, especially in the UK. I would assume that your regular liability insurance would be sufficient, but if you have concerns, definitely consult a lawyer.

ralis says:

Jun 24, 2010. 2:52 AM REPLY Hi You should always give credit where credit is due. I have given seminars on this technique for the past 4 years and came up with the system originally in 2002 for a music video for the Bronx, the same system was used on Resident Evil 3, you do have a major safety flaw and that is your push-fit connector. That connector is not safe for the 700 PSI I can shatter and really hurt someone Please also amend your post that this technique was invented by me, Ralis Kahn

RavingMadStudios says:

Jul 6, 2010. 8:47 PM REPLY Dude, people have been spraying stage blood through tubes since well before 2002. I've done variations on the effect for years using Hudson sprayers, Super Soakers, paintball markers, fountain pumps, compressed air, squeeze bulbs, and my own lungs as propellant, and so have thousands of other people. Using an CO2 bike tire inflator is just a variation on the theme, which I came up with on my own, without attending any seminars or ever watching a Resident Evil movie. It's a simple enough hack that I'd be very surprised if you and I were the only ones who ever thought of it. So, to summarize: I didn't steal your idea, and I won't be crediting you in my post. If you can do it better, write your own Instructable.

ralis says:

Jul 7, 2010. 9:38 AM REPLY The Professionals in the industry do credit properly. I have been a professional in the industry for 19 years and used many systems for blood delivery as a professional You most likely saw the demos on You tube: http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=zE7tdV6DgsY http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=d9CibOpWZCs or heard about it, is not a secret and it is fine that you use my techniques. I am very open about how I do things. It is just good etiquette to credit properly, although that may not be the case here.

hexinverter says:
LOL! This is pure comedy! xD

Oct 1, 2010. 7:35 PM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:
You most likely saw the demos on You tube (blah blah blah) or heard about it....

Jul 7, 2010. 8:40 PM REPLY

Wow... Seriously? Because no one in the world besides you could possibly have thought of swapping one pressure source for another in a commonly used blood effect? And silly me, I thought that your original post was condescending and arrogant..... Congrats on raising the bar. I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Substituting a CO2 inflator for a Hudson sprayer is not world-shaking innovation, it's a minor tweak. It just happens to be a useful minor tweak that increases the portability and concealability of a widely used effect technique. You didn't "invent" the effect, you just came up with a workable substitution for the pressure source, same as I did, same as Yokozuna apparently did in 1999, same as who knows how many others have done. Your refusal to accept the possibility that others may have had the same simple idea independently of you is both irritating and kind of sad. I will say this one more time, as simply as I can. I have never heard of you, seen your work, or watched your YouTube video prior to this exchange. I did watch your video this evening, and I don't recall you crediting anyone for any of the other pressure sources you use in your demonstrations. I will assume that the credits for those ideas were lost in the edits, and not that you are also claiming to have invented fire extinguishers and Hudson sprayers. As a professional in the field since 1989, I fully appreciate the etiquette of giving credit where credit is due, and do so whenever credit is actually due. I didn't credit you because you and your work played absolutely no part in the development of my device. If you want to believe that I'm lying, I can't stop you. I am, however, done arguing about it. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

caitlinsdad says:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Pneumatic-Squib-Tutorial/

Jul 7, 2010. 6:42 PM REPLY

If you read the comments in that instructable, you will see the development of the idea based on the instructable that he does credit. You may want to direct your claim to the other author and question where he got the idea.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

yokozuna says:

Jul 7, 2010. 12:02 PM REPLY If that's the case, I'm sure that all of your seminars give proper credit to a student film I produced with two other guys in 1999 using this technique. Because I know someone like yourself who is so concerned with giving due credit would have checked every single movie and youtube video before taking any small amount of credit it for it. Did we come up with the idea ourselves? As I recall, we read about it in a special effects on the cheap book whose names escapes me and really doesn't matter over a decade later. Great explanation of the technique, and nice accompanying photos, five stars.

RavingMadStudios says:

Jul 7, 2010. 8:56 PM REPLY My point exactly. Thanks for illustrating it so well. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go claim to have invented wind resistance and paper so Kiteman has to credit me on a bunch of his Instructables.

caitlinsdad says:
Whoa, I was going to call dibs on inventing the internet.

Jul 7, 2010. 9:32 PM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:
OK, but you might have to wrestle Al Gore for that one. Besides, I invented electricity.

Jul 8, 2010. 6:33 AM REPLY

MichelMoermans says:
I agree with RavingMadStudios for the same reasons he is stating!

Jul 7, 2010. 6:11 AM REPLY

BL1NDED says:
aaaaaagghhhhhhhh! you beat me to it! haha i came up with the exact same idea! great minds think alike i guess

Aug 21, 2010. 11:36 AM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:

Aug 22, 2010. 6:46 AM REPLY Seems like a bunch of us have come up with this independently, which doesn't surprise me at all. I just have the honor of being the first one to post it here. Nov 22, 2009. 6:40 PM REPLY

Vulcanator says:
plans for a good shooting prank. 1 do it in front of girl friend or someone who cares about you 2 strap this dohickey on. 3 have a friend shoot at you with a starter pistol with blanks in it 4 engage CO2 device. 5 fall on floor. 6 laugh.

bobdog says:

Mar 14, 2010. 11:35 PM REPLY Not a good idea, blanks are known for causing fatal injuries from debris in the barrel or even just gas injection under pressure. (so are oxyacetylene welders *without* ignition) Better to use an electrical trigger in the pistol to fire a safely enclosed blank in a vented box near the "shooter". If you are near a building the echo will distort the location enough the effect will still play out even if the squib/blank is a few feet away.

Honestinwilkesbarre says:

May 11, 2010. 2:12 AM REPLY Most starters pistols have solid barrels, that is no bore. Gases are usually vented out the side, not in the direction it's pointed. The "joke" as described by Vulcanator is still a very bad idea. A girlfriend dead of a heart-attack or injured trying to get away is decidedly un-funny. Also, being shot by responding police would also put a damper on the hilarity.

mistic_conqueror says:

Apr 21, 2010. 4:59 PM REPLY i dont live in the states so we dont have a lows, and i went to home depot but they dont have the air nozzle, could you tell me the dimensions (total length, diameter of the threads) and were you bought it.

RavingMadStudios says:

Apr 21, 2010. 8:08 PM REPLY I seem to have misplaced it, but te one in the picture you posted is the right one. If you still need measurements, please let me know and I'll try to remember where I put the thing. Apr 21, 2010. 5:22 PM REPLY

mistic_conqueror says:
by any chance would this be what you bought

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

RavingMadStudios says:
That looks to be exactly the same accessory kit I got the barb out of. It has all the same pieces, anyway.

Apr 21, 2010. 8:06 PM REPLY

dsfilms says:

Apr 16, 2010. 2:47 PM REPLY can anyone tell me what the hell a bannana clip is?? No one at the hardware store can tell me, the ony kind I know of has to do with stereo equipment. I need this rip by to morrow!! Pictures or links online would be SUPER helpful! Thanks!!

mistic_conqueror says:

Apr 20, 2010. 4:22 PM REPLY A bannana clip is the magazine of a gun(were bullets are stored). Why "bannana", wellbecause it refers to the curved shape it has (ex the ak47 accepts a bannana clip. http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/images/akmag.jpg

RavingMadStudios says:
Could be a hair accessory, or a gun magazine.

Apr 16, 2010. 9:47 PM REPLY

Prof. Yummy says:

Feb 3, 2010. 10:01 AM REPLY I usually use a larger gauge tubing for the blood resevoir. I can put cellophane over the end of the smaller tube and insert that end into the larger blood resevoir tube. When I blow the rig the cellophane pops, allowing the air to push through to the resevoir, expelling the blood. Instead of taping the hole I just push a "bloody" ball of paper towel to cap it. When the rig is fired the paper towel shoots out. This is great for exit wounds, as it looks like a bullet flying out. I'm not sure what PSI the Bike inflators have, but I use a paintball CO2 tank that is way too high of PSI for the rest of my rig, but I don't let it sit there rigged up. I fire it and at least unhook the CO2 cannister.

RavingMadStudios says:

Feb 3, 2010. 3:45 PM REPLY Yeah, I picked this size of tubing mostly for concealability (and because I had a bunch laying around). The cartridge has plenty of pressure to support a larger tube, at least for a couple of shots.

snelpiller says:
Simple and smart, good work!

Dec 18, 2009. 2:55 PM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:
Thanks very much!

Dec 18, 2009. 5:11 PM REPLY

fairywingsandthings says:
Viel Spa fr die ganze Familie!

Dec 2, 2009. 12:57 PM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:
Die Familie, die zusammen sprht, zusammen bleibt.

Dec 2, 2009. 4:13 PM REPLY

compgeek_brad says:

Nov 21, 2009. 10:02 PM REPLY Hey, i have been looking for something like this for ages... not being a pro member, is there a way for me to get a pdf?? (rapidshare??, etc)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

RavingMadStudios says:

Nov 22, 2009. 5:38 AM REPLY Does the Download PDF icon in the step listing not work for you? I thought that was supposed to work for everybody, not just Pros. If not, shoot me an Inbox message with your email, and I'll try to send you something. Of course, I'm not a Pro member either, so I may not be able to get the PDF myself. Last I checked, it should really work for both of us, though.

mettaurlover says:
on a scale of 1 to 10, how good of a joke do you think this'd make on april fools day?

Nov 19, 2009. 7:22 AM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:

Nov 19, 2009. 8:24 AM REPLY Depends on where you pulled your joke. In a controlled, safe environment without police or armed security guards around to blow your brains out or arrest you for waving a gun around, I'd probably give it a 7 or 8. At a school, the mall, or on the street, I'd have to go with -10. No prank is worth dying or going to jail for.

RavingMadStudios says:
On the other hand, with a few mostly cosmetic mods, this could be the basis for a truly epic squirting flower.

Nov 19, 2009. 8:28 AM REPLY

mettaurlover says:
i mean just doing it on myself without anyone shooting at me, at school-it'd probably make a ton of laughs.

Nov 19, 2009. 12:00 PM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:

Nov 20, 2009. 6:31 AM REPLY I dunno, maybe I'm just overcautious but a suddenly appearing bullet wound from nowhere might still cause people to think "sniper" even if there's no gun visible, and cause you a lot of trouble. Now if you loaded it with yellow goo, placed the effect tube as close to your face as possible and faked a sneeze...

mettaurlover says:
I was thinking more "neon green goo" than "realistic blood explosion".

Nov 20, 2009. 1:09 PM REPLY

RavingMadStudios says:

Nov 20, 2009. 1:15 PM REPLY I think neon green goo is a great idea. If you have any left around Halloween, you can use it in a "radioactive alien zombie massacre" scene or something.

mettaurlover says:

Nov 20, 2009. 1:17 PM REPLY i'm actually thinking about making goo bombs and the squib thing so i can scare the crap out of the little kids on halloween. i mean, a huge blast of goo coming from nowhere'll scare anyone.

Zergling_pack says:

Nov 19, 2009. 12:11 PM REPLY Actually bad idea. My friend pulled a prank like that with fake blood but he acted like he stabbed himself. He got suspended for five days, and almost expelled for causing a panic and false emergency, and then vandalism for "staining" the tile floor.

mettaurlover says:

Nov 19, 2009. 12:18 PM REPLY i mean just a huge burst of fake blood, minus the stabbing and with water-soluble stuff. i go to a school where for a senior prank they wrote "2009" in stacks of library books last school year.

Zergling_pack says:

Nov 19, 2009. 1:55 PM REPLY Well yeah the stabbing was a bad idea, but the blood was water soluble. Do you mean like an anime blood burst where it seems like your whole chest explodes? Because that would be epic. But as long as you don't damage anything then i don't see a problem.

mettaurlover says:

Nov 19, 2009. 4:35 PM REPLY something like that... just with a fountain of blood from my chest... also, do the office depot cleaner canisters work well for this? they're just CO2 cartridges(I think) that are really cheap(about $2.50 each) and include the nozzle and a tube that you could just epoxy the hose around. does the pressure have to be greater than that of a weak fart initially, or can it start off weak then explosively increase? i think that if it worked right that way it would be awesome. i actually have a jacket that seems to be designed for this; it has a pocket with a pre-installed hole in the top for a flashlight that should hold it just fine. also, i think ive found a better way to do this. cheaper, too. if it works ill pos tan ible on a grenade-style fake blood-bomb.

RavingMadStudios says:

Nov 20, 2009. 6:41 AM REPLY Those are not CO2, but they would probably still generate enough pressure to fire the squib. The tradeoff would be that the canister is bigger and harder to conceal, but if that's not an issue for you, go for it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/

mettaurlover says:

Nov 20, 2009. 1:08 PM REPLY i'm the guy who always has random canisters, tools and stuff at school anyway, so its not a problem for me.

fungus amungus says:

Love the project. I'd also like to request a video or a shot of it in action. It's begging for it!

Nov 19, 2009. 10:19 AM REPLY

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-CO2-powered-Squib-for-Self-contained-Blood-an/