HELIUM PRICES $$$$

[Jordan]

Are we reaching peak helium? or is this a blip? Perhaps we should advocate more drilling in the gulf?

I doubt the price will fall until then. Let's go find some radioactive decay!

[corey dufrene]

today freezel junior picked up a 300 cf bottle for 51 dolla.

cd

[BillBowden]

Do to the cost of He and Nitrox in some places, my rebreather (YBOD) was essentially free. And I don't do that much deep diving.

I remember getting one of my bottles (dead empty) filled at CEE, and Rich saying, "Sorry, I still have to charge you $4) My last dive at the Nest cost me $0.43. And I could have gotten out of the water an hour before my buddy.

And I wonder why people hate me....

[curtschu]

Bragart

[oldguy]

The demand for helium for bounce diving and bell saturation in the Gulf of Mexico is driving costs up. I work as a commercial diving safety consultant and the pay rate for commercial divers has greatly increased due to the Katrina damage to offshore oil rigs and delivery pipelines. You cannot buy a commercial diving helmet right now from the manufacturers and only a few used ones are still around too. Dive companies are advertising sign on bonuses and helmet purchase incentives for commercially trained divers. Any business affiliated with offshore oil is booming right now due to the damage in the Gulf. A rebreather is looking like a very good investment for technical sport diving.

[phreaticus]

$68 per He, $24 per 02 @ Crumpton Welding in St. Pete on 5/4.