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Trapped in a Burning Building? Quick, Breathe Into a Toilet!

since1968.com — Actual US Patent for helping people breathe fresh air while stuck in a burning building. Right.

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  • Mentosan, on 12/06/2007, -1/+41my vacuum hose is next to the toilet from now on!
    • redfox2600, on 12/06/2007, -1/+9Don't do Jenkem m'kay. Drugs are bad.
    • themastersb, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1For some reason I had a dream like this a while ago where I was in a room being filled with deadly gas and all of a sudden I was like quick. Breathe from the toilet while flushing it. Probably wouldn't work that way, but I wonder why I had imagined it in the first place.
    • ekeup, on 12/06/2007, -0/+5Someone try this and let us know how it worked and how it smelled :-)
    • DocHoliday22, on 12/06/2007, -1/+1Why not open the bathroom or toilet window and use the pipe to breathe out of that?
  • joshuaer, on 12/06/2007, -2/+160The reason the U shaped pipe is there is to keep out sewer gas. I would assume that is what you would be taking in.
    • Krippy, on 12/06/2007, -2/+38Well, the alternative isn't much better.

      Or is it?
    • gldfshnpcklejar, on 12/06/2007, -1/+7Yup, you'd be breathing in some sort of methane/who knows what else. Breathing it in would make you want to breath in the smoke and jump in the fire. The tube on the other side of the wall might be what makes it different, that might be some sort of outside air vent... still...
      • joshuaer, on 12/06/2007, -0/+13I had a cracked venting pipe in my house 6 years ago, all i will say is that there is a reason it goes up 4 feet above your roof. my house smelled like a fresh fart for 4 days I will take the fire over that "sh!t" ( pun intended ) again.
    • diggboi, on 12/06/2007, -0/+13better gas than smoke.

      I'll take a little methane over thick, choking carbon particles anyday.......
      • Murdats, on 12/06/2007, -0/+4what about thick choking methane over thick choking carbon particles?
        • redfox2600, on 12/06/2007, -1/+2Methane is actually odorless and flammable.
    • cmallinson, on 12/06/2007, -0/+18You probably would no get any sewer gas at all doing this. Methane is heavier than air, and will sink. All drains are vented, usually to the top of the building - this is what allows the water to go down the pipe without sucking the water out of the trap. You would likely be breathing fresh air from outside the building.
      • shotgunefx, on 12/06/2007, -1/+5Think you are partially correct. Some gases are going to raise, otherwise, you wouldn't need the traps in the first place, probably better than smoke, but who knows.

        Regardless, doesn't seem very practical to spend your time, finding a hose instead of an exit. Though maybe in a high rise fire or something, were you can only wait for help, it could be useful
      • Apokalyps2547, on 12/06/2007, -0/+6You'll be breathing air from JUST OUTSIDE a BURNING BUILDING...
        Well-played.
      • dewyjuhl, on 12/06/2007, -0/+3yes. You'll be breathing that wonderfully smoke free air that always appears at the top of burning buildings.
    • ChromaVita, on 12/06/2007, -0/+13I think the first priority in a fire should be leaving the building, instead of looking for a viable source of air.
    • thecosmicpope, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2Believe it or not, it isn't actually a joke, but it is useless. This was on the UK show QI ("Quite Interesting") where just from that 1 photo, the panel had to guess what it actually was. they didn't get it, and it was explained to them and they all very quickly picked up on the fact that it would work, which is why it doesn't go into production. Even if it did work, is it really more unpleasant than the alternative?
    • ElAssoWipo, on 12/06/2007, -3/+4Breathing sewer gas = death.

      If the toxic air doesn't suffocate you, the bacteria will kill you, slowly.

      Methane is the least of your worries, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, paint thinner and all kinds of flammable fumes are found in sewer gas.

      Hydrogen sulfide alone is enough to kill you and it doesn't take that much.
    • KennMac, on 12/06/2007, -1/+3It's amazing how many sewage/plumbing experts there are on Digg.

      I don't think the artist decided to waste a few hours creating that if there wasn't a good reason to do so.
    • LuxFX, on 12/06/2007, -2/+2The idea of the u-pipe isn't to keep out deadly fumes, it's to keep out annoying smells. The air is fine to breath, because there is also (#15 in the drawing), a vent pipe that normally goes up to the roof (ever wonder what all those little pipes are on roofs?) -- otherwise the water wouldn't go down as well because the water and air would have to be transferred through the same pipe.
  • ghee, on 12/06/2007, -4/+61But what if the bathroom is on fire?
    • borninda818, on 12/06/2007, -0/+28Then you swiftly exit the building.
    • Spoomeister, on 12/06/2007, -0/+8go outside and breathe ***** air there instead?
    • Frostman3D, on 12/06/2007, -2/+6Hope you have the runs so you can ***** and put it out.
    • nowsourcing, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2Stop, drop, and roll!
  • kalleanka, on 12/06/2007, -0/+110"Actual US Patent for helping people breathe fresh air "

    Ok, I have no idea of what city you live in... But where I'm from, that is NOT considered "fresh air".
    • bovester, on 12/06/2007, -5/+6San Francisco.
      • jeremymccurdy, on 12/06/2007, -1/+6Well they do like the smell of their own farts...
    • PopularNerd123, on 12/06/2007, -2/+6Take your pick: Carcinogenic tar-filled black pseudo-air that will kill you upon excessive inhalation or sewer air? That sewer air sure smells fresh now doesn't it?
      • kahlessreborn, on 12/06/2007, -1/+6Not when it contains methane which is equally as fatal on and flamable
      • diggitydoc, on 12/06/2007, -1/+2pseudo-air?? please explain, and spare no detail...
        • PopularNerd123, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1just a way to convey my meaning that the air the comes from burning homes isn't air anymore in the sense that it doesn't only contain oxygen, nitrogen and the other gases, rather is made of many different and toxic substances combined with the air.
  • jikai55, on 12/06/2007, -1/+29What's scarier than this image is the fact that it is patented.
  • shyner, on 12/06/2007, -1/+123Hmm. I could imagine the results. You're sucking in lungs full of sewer gas. You take one last big breath and hold it to try and run for it. You get near a flame, start to exhale, and BOOM! There goes your torso!
    • ohsin, on 12/06/2007, -0/+34Doctors performing postmortem will have absolute WTF moment.
    • Tommydukes, on 12/06/2007, -4/+1Boom Protien everywhere
    • roflsd, on 12/06/2007, -2/+2I have to admit, that scenario had me laughing quite hard. It's also 2am, sleep deprivation might have something to do with it. We need to work this scene into a B-movie.
  • jmpeagle, on 12/06/2007, -1/+15wouldn't you then burn down t=with the house? Maybe you should consider going outside.
    • jmpeagle, on 12/06/2007, -2/+8where the ***** did that "t=" come from? It wasn't there when I was allowed to edit.
      • kernco, on 12/06/2007, -0/+3I thought what happened was you hit the 't' on accident, then went for backspace but hit '=' instead. By this point you had lost all faith and just decided to continue like it didn't happen.
  • garymartin, on 12/06/2007, -2/+137I choose death.
  • yomamaisfat, on 12/06/2007, -3/+13What if there's a deuce in there or someone upperdeckered my toilet?
    • rodgerdodger5, on 12/06/2007, -4/+1I am not sure what a deuce or what upperdeckered means but this comment made me LOL!
      • afx1, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1deuce is a #2
      • RpgActioN, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2Upperdecking is ***** in the tank.
        • CedEx, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1Who comes up with stuff like that?
        • tcklord, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1The worst is the dry upper deck, shut off the water flush the toilet, then go in the tank
        • moktail, on 12/07/2007, -0/+1CedEx, i was thinking of the same thing. lmao
          Peace
  • GuacamoleSan, on 12/06/2007, -2/+55It clearly converts *****-water into air. I mean, who wouldn't want to breathe ***** AND get burned to death at the same time
  • PerfektXj, on 12/06/2007, -5/+11lol
  • MalDON, on 12/06/2007, -2/+51What a ***** way to die.
    • leerayIG88, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2hoho!, I see what you did there. :D *high five*
    • callmeTroy, on 12/07/2007, -1/+1-quote from starcraft: broodwar "its a good day to die! "
  • airiox, on 12/06/2007, -5/+4I'd rather die.
  • robphillips, on 12/06/2007, -3/+3Can't I just keep an oxygen tank?
    • screwthename, on 12/06/2007, -0/+11sure, but not a good idea to run around with that in fire though.
    • TechCF, on 12/06/2007, -1/+3An airtank would be a better choice. Not so flamable, and pure oxygen is not that good for you
      • KingGorilla, on 12/06/2007, -1/+2but it feels good and that's what matters
    • ultraelite, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1"who knew that in-flammable and flammable meant the same thing, what a country"
  • JTG123, on 12/06/2007, -0/+15It's actually a new device for getting high off of jenkem.
    • beedo34, on 12/06/2007, -2/+2haha. jankem. worst....drug....ever....
  • vbc150, on 12/06/2007, -1/+11"fresh air"? more like fresh ass
  • shadyacres, on 12/06/2007, -7/+17I'd rather watch 2 girls and a cup then do this!
    • MSRedImp, on 12/06/2007, -11/+2Lollerz a 2 girl 1 cup reference, on Digg? However did you come up with that. Dugg down for being a nerd.
  • eddiebabie, on 12/06/2007, -2/+48Our bathroom has a window, one that you can open...
  • jknation, on 12/06/2007, -2/+9I dunno about anyone else, i would run to the window even if was trapped to tell them i am here.

    don't hate don't hate
  • dougalzene, on 12/06/2007, -0/+9Missing parts - where's 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 & 9?
    • screwthename, on 12/06/2007, -0/+8all burned
      • debonarion, on 12/06/2007, -1/+8It's a missing diagram of your family members gathered at the funeral wondering why you asphyxiated yourself with sewer gas.
    • senorcool, on 12/06/2007, -1/+4profit?
  • andersonwu, on 12/06/2007, -1/+2Fresh air??? Are you kidding?
  • gmillerd, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2Lots of high rise buildings in various areas have this along side their plumbing. Adding this an appliance such as a toilet is somewhat silly, but under sinks over seas they have various mechanisms for this.
  • maja742, on 12/06/2007, -7/+2just keep a bong handy, seems like the same idea
  • psychoaccess, on 12/06/2007, -1/+0I want a list of the How-To.
    And what, is there now going to be a small hose case, "Break in Case of Fire" inside of every bathroom stall?
    Oh, I'd lol.
  • dubhglais, on 12/06/2007, -2/+4Disgusting.
  • kahlessreborn, on 12/06/2007, -0/+21How about linking the actually article next time:
    http://since1968.com/article/65/toilet-snorkel
    rom the application for United States Patent 4,320,756:
    This invention provides an economical device and method for ensuring a life-saving supply of fresh air to a person entrapped in a burning hotel room or the like, when the person is subjected to toxic smoke inhalation.

    The fresh-air breathing device comprises breathing means for being held in communication with a respiratory intake passage (mouth and/or nose) of the user and conduit means for communicating fresh air to such respiratory intake, including a first end connected to the breathing means and an open second end having sufficient flexibility and length for insertion through a water trap of a toilet. Carrying forth the method of this invention, such insertion of the conduit means or breathing tube through the water trap will expose the open end thereof to fresh air from a vent pipe connected to a sewer line of the toilet. The user may then proceed to breathe fresh air for life-saving purposes, until rescued…

    The user can then start inhaling fresh air and oxygen through the device and exhale through his nose. The user can maintain this breathing procedure for hours and until he is rescued. A fireman who has depleted his bottled supply of oxygen can follow the same method to breathe fresh air. Even though the user may breathe-in a small amount of sewer gas, it is obvious that this small inconvenience is insignificant in comparison to the saving of the user’s life.
    • tk0680, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2Fresh? FRESH air?!
      • breezytrees, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2the picture by itself is priceless though!
    • breezytrees, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2It's more fun when you use "*****" instead of "sewer gas"
  • monkeyrun, on 12/06/2007, -1/+14I would hate to be found dead in the bathroom with my head stuck in the toilet.

    News Reporter: "We believe that the victim was trying to breath through the sewer pipe."
  • choux, on 12/06/2007, -1/+0yeah, (dougalzene--) where are those missing parts? oh. haha, all burned, it just keeps getting better and better *lol*
  • monkeybop, on 12/06/2007, -0/+4The patent is apparently expired, so it's fair game now.
    • zombiedepot, on 12/06/2007, -0/+5Add an mp3 player and it'll be ready to sell.
  • thereverendlaz, on 12/06/2007, -4/+0My house is on fire, and I got my mouth on the Ballcock.
    2puffs1shmuck?
  • harryterry, on 12/06/2007, -1/+1you're still going to burn tho........
  • Trebis, on 12/06/2007, -0/+3Jenkem?
    • KickinitLegit, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1What better way to wash away your worries of being cooked alive in your own home than getting *****-faced!
  • daakone, on 12/06/2007, -0/+8Best bong ever.
  • JohnnyHotballs, on 12/06/2007, -0/+17if I'm trapped in a burning building, i'm crashing through the wall like the koolaid man.
  • shauncullen, on 12/06/2007, -0/+4A giant ***** water bong? Cool.
  • kriminalintent, on 12/06/2007, -1/+1You have to be pretty wasted to think thats a beer bong.
  • KickinitLegit, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2Do Not Want.
  • breezytrees, on 12/06/2007, -1/+2This is now officially my facebook profile picture
    • breezytrees, on 12/06/2007, -0/+4☑ I certify that I have the right to distribute this picture and that it does not violate the Terms of Use.
  • democrap, on 12/06/2007, -2/+0better idea, keep an electrolysis kit near by and generate your own pure oxygen
  • mesoiam, on 12/06/2007, -1/+3If you took the lid off the cistern and used the overflow pipe then you would have access to actual fresh air
  • DuffyDirect, on 12/06/2007, -0/+4a dog recently survived a fire by sticking its snout into a shower a drain for air, so this really isn't a bad idea -- despite the outrage expressed by all the civil engineers posting here on Digg in the early AM.
    • artanis, on 12/06/2007, -1/+1The shower drain doesn't regularly pass urine and feces. I think I'd take the shower drain or none at all.
  • daxsymbiont, on 12/06/2007, -1/+1that'd smell like hsit!
  • mccake, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1If you are in danger, just use it and don't tell... and make yourself forget the whole experience...
  • mrpicklepants, on 12/06/2007, -0/+4This is a great idea. The S curve or "P trap" (under all drains in a house) is designed so that water blocks the gasses from entering the house, but it would also block the smokey air in the room from entering the pipe. And since all drains connect to "vent pipes" (that extend out to the roof of the building) the air would be breathable, and could definitely save your life, since majority of fire death is caused by smoke inhalation. The same thing would work for the "P trap" under bathroom or kitchen sink, which would be less offensive .
    • Maagic, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1All drains "SHOULD" connect to vent pipes. Not everyone does their work up to code or has it inspected like they're posta.
  • metfuel, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1Uhm I am not even going to read the article but I will comment. Everyone knows or should know that you get in the bathtub and start breathing through those pipes. (Which I am just taking a wild stab here *
  • insonh, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1shower drian........no question
  • cloudyprison, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2Worst idea....ever.
  • diggitydoc, on 12/06/2007, -2/+1i just thought that it was a novel new definition of the term "turd burglar", but i jest....
  • michael43, on 12/06/2007, -0/+2I don't think sucking flammable methane gas down your throat in the middle of a fire is particularly brilliant.
    • tempest69, on 12/06/2007, -0/+0Pipes are vented, so methane goes up, and oxygen replaces the methane. so you only get a bit of methane gas. Is it nasty? probably.
      • Maagic, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1Pipes (when installed correctly) are vented.
  • jaggermeister, on 12/06/2007, -1/+0Brought to you by the creator of "Donkey Fisting" and "Two Girls One Cup".
    Only idiot i can think of who would come up with this *****.
    Side note: For those of you retards who just started googling "Donkey Fisting" It doesnt exist.
    • kirtap, on 12/06/2007, -0/+1donkey punching, however, does exist.
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