New Pyrotechnician Tips. #1

As July 4th approaches I thought I would make a video covering some of the basics of working a professional fireworks display. I know a few people following my video have told me they are starting to work as helpers on displays. In the near future I will make other videos covering some of the skills needed for professional displays.

[@justinmatthews1528]

Nice Video Dave - We use a technique on all our production work with our cable rolling called Under/Over technique: A very similar technique to what you showed except every second loop is done in reverse, a cable that has been under overed throughout its life tends to carry a "memory" and usually bounces straight back into that wrap normally, and if we see any of our junior techs doing the Uncle method or under thumb/over elbow technique we make them re-roll the entire case that they were assigned to if they were done in that fashion.

[@displayfireworks1]

***** Thanks for your comment. I am glad to hear you are teaching some of the younger techs these little helpful techniques. Since there are no real pyrotechnic schools in United States we can not expect the new crew members to know all of this. I figured I would start with the basics. There are people coming of age so to speak that followed my videos since they were younger and are now working on displays as the years go by. One person told me the fireworks crew was amazed at how much he knew on his first day on the job. He told me they were like "Where did you learn all of this?"

[@Ultra2040]

Great tips Dave, although I still wrap data cable up like your uncle! Used the igniter wire trick a few times although we use velcro on most of our cables now.

[@cgphillips8556]

Thanks for the tips

[@jamiephillips3947]

after the clove hitch we call that last not the half hitch so a clove hitch with a half hitch

[@ThePyroEffekts]

Very Nice Video, i know this node from the german fire department, but in germany called "Mastwurf".

[@displayfireworks1]

Pyronox Vielen Dank für Ihren Kommentar, genieße ich von meinem Video-Teilnehmer außerhalb der Vereinigten Staaten zu hören, dass Wort, das Sie verwendet ihre Übersetzung in die englische Wort "Clove Hitch". Das ist, was der Begriff für diesen Knoten ist. Was ich interessant finde, ist in Deutschland nach von links nach rechts gelehrt werden es erscheint..Thanks for your comment; I enjoy hearing from my video subscribers outside of United States, that word you used translates into the English word “Clove Hitch”. That is what the term for this knot is. What I find interesting is in Germany it appears to be taught left to right

[@3ccdmike]

You left out the most impotent part of wire bundling and that is rolling the cable in your fingers so to not get the same end results as raping it around your arm. And you can wind it around your arm if you roll it in your fingers. Not rolling it in your fingers will give you figure eights like you got here in your video.

[@mattchise11]

Great tips dave! I'm sure you get this a lot but, how old you I have to be to become a pyrotechnition? I'm 18 now and it's the only thing I can truly think of to do for the rest of my life. Also, how do I? Where do i start? Do I have to gave some sort of college degree? Thanks dave once again!

[@displayfireworks1]

mattchise11 I believe you can be a helper on a display at age 18. You need to be at least 21 to be a lead shooter. There are no schools that teach pyrotechnics in United States that is one of the reasons I do these videos. You do not need college degrees to work pyrotechnic displays. You do need to work hard i.e. lift heavy racks, work in the sun and work long hours. I would also suggest getting a Commercial Driver License with a hazardous materials endorsement on the license. There is more physical work in pyrotechnics than most people realize. Also plan on never going to a July 4th party, the parties are for other people, you need to work that day.

[@mattchise11]

displayfireworks1 Thanks dave!!! Really appreciate it!!!

[@pyroblastguy]

Exactly where I am at right now! Thinking about joining Pyro Spectaculars.

[@jakerodgerspyrotechnicfun8789]

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