Bubble Machine....still A Slippery Subject?

[Tommo55 0]

Hi all

 

I am considering buying a new bubble machine, something along the lines of the Skytec double wheel etc. but after reading some of the previous posts by members I have to ask the question, ARE THEY DANGEROUS? or to put it another way do they turn the dancefloor into a slippery, messy place to be?

 

I am planning to add it for the usual events, Weddings, anniversaries etc. NOT kids parties as I do not do them, so it would not be running all night but it is still a concern!

 

So answers on a postcard would be really useful, also can anyone recommend a good machine?

 

I was toying with the idea of two smaller ones such as the Antari B-100 on either side of the rig, or a larger single mahine such as the Skytec in the middle on the floor.

 

So any comments or ideas are welcome!

 

So over to you.................................................................... :thanks:

[McCardle 1]

ARE THEY DANGEROUS?

 

Yes, in some respects.

 

or to put it another way do they turn the dancefloor into a slippery, messy place to be?

 

The ones i've seen / read about have. There may be ones out there that don't but i've yet to see them named

 

Imagine spilling some fairy liquid onto a polished wooden dancefloor, would you want to dance on it?, or rather would you let your kids use it or want to be liable for 50 or 100 people all dancing on it, any one of which might slip and fall.

 

 

Do you have pli?, if not and somebody falls and breaks their leg or worst still an elderly person falls and breaks their hip as a result of something which was proven to be your negligence or excessive risk taking on your part, can you afford to pay out £5000, £10000+ from your own pocket in compensation?

 

Anybody who thinks that they are above the laws of the UK and are bulletproof against any action being brought against them and so can't be held liable because they are DJ's / are only part time blah blah blah need to go and read some of the actual reported cases on the relevant HSE sites and gaze in wonder at the actual payouts and legal costs in relation to some pretty mundane injuries.

 

I do have liability insurance, and even then, I go out of my way to ensure that I don't take risks, whether its covering trailing wires with rubber cable protectors / walkways or not using things like pyrotechnics or bubble machines.

 

In the event of an accident occuring, a member of the public could go and see 'a no win no fee' solicitor and it won't cost them a penny to bring a good case against us. For us on the other hand, defending such a case will be a little more expensive, considering an average solicitor charges £60 - £120 per hour and it might take upto 20 - 25 hours of preparation and admin work before the case even goes to court!, then consider any pay out awards if negligence is acutally proven and you have to pay out for their injuries, medical costs, expenses, legal fees etc. How many gigs is it going to take to pay that lot back eh? and you won't get any legal aid.

 

Solicitors are clever people , they will probably even find this post and use it against you in order to prove a link that in making it, and asking the question proved some prior knowledge on your part that there were potential risks yet you still went ahead regardless. Bang! a big hole in your case and more likely than not, you'll be paying out compensation!.

 

Unfortunately, thats the type of 'claim' mad society that we live in today...and we've all seen the Ad's. There are no such things as accidents any more, just third party liabilities yet to be proven :ads: .

 

Venues and clubs have started banning drinks on dancefloors for much the same reason, spilt liquid can make surfaces slippery and they've heard stories of colleagues who've had to pay injury claims.......

 

any comments or ideas are welcome!

 

Don't use one

Edited September 14, 2009 by McCardle

[deejaymitch 0]

I used one once, never again. The floor gets very slipperry very quickly.

[vokf 0]

I do use one. As a spot effect, I don't see it as a bad thing.

I normally run it for a minute or so, then switch it off for 10 - 20 mins or so. The normal response is "ohh, bubbles" and the kids crowd around it, so little actually hits the floor.

 

If I am doing a kids party, I normally use a wireless mic and are often out front running a few games. I've never found the floor to be slippery.

 

Those than leave them running for ages on an empty floor will of course see it turning the floor into a very slippery area - complete with the above risks.

Bars/Clubs have had a "no drinks on the floor" policy since the 80's in my area.

 

Treat it as a strobe or any other spot effect and ensure the kids/adults are around to catch most of the bubbles and from my experience I don't see a big problem.

 

 

 

[glenn knights 0]

Hi

 

I am with VOKF on this one - I use a bubble machine but only run it for a few seconds (that's all the time it needs, it's more of a bubble monster) every so often.

 

I think it's the same with a lot of things in life - moderation rules.......!

 

 

Glenn.

 

 

Edit - I will add that if a venue or customer does not allow or want bubbles, the machine stays on the van.

Edited September 14, 2009 by glenn knights

[Tommo55 0]

Thanks to all who have replied, certainly giving me food for thought!

 

In reply to McCardle yes I do have PLi £2,000,000 worth but have no desire to call upon it, so I will be using the machine sparingly as suggested by both vokf and Glenns Knight I shall use it people are on the floor to 'soak up' the bubbles.

 

So with this in mind I have ditched the idea of two machines on either side of the rig and instead will go with the single device...........so

 

Any recommendations?

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

best value for money one ive seen is actually Maplins (Shudder)

 

Its an Antari machine and is about £40

 

chucks plenty of bubbles out and they go high too, i have two for multiple gigs

 

almost as important is the fluid you put in it

Skytec or Maplin fluid is not good enough

I use the Prolight stuff, very happy with it

[glenn knights 0]

Hi,

 

I use a zoom Z30.

 

It is an awesome machine and chucks thousands of bubbles high and far but, having now used it I would think long and hard before buying another the same.

 

The tray that holds the fluid is very flimsy and mine has now been repaired twice.

Emptying the tray at the end of the night is a bit fidley as you have to prop open the lid at the same time as pulling out the tray.

 

Also, although it comes with a hanging bracket, the thought of a machine that size hanging from a gantry is quite off-putting.

 

If you can live with that then yes they are very good.

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Glenn.