How To Inflate A Pool Float Without A Pump

You’ve just arrived at the pool, beach, or backyard, ready to float away your worries, only to realize… you forgot the pump. Now you’re standing there with a sad, deflated pool float, staring at it like it’s betrayed you.

Now, you’re left wondering how to inflate a poolfloat without a pump (or questioning your entire life’s decisions). Well, before you start thinking about leaving the float deflated, I’m here to save the day. And the best part? You’ll probably have a laugh or two in the process.

How to Inflate a Pool Float Without a Pump?

So, you’re stuck with a pool float and no pump – what now? First off, don’t panic (the pool will still be there). Here’s how to inflate a pool float without a pump:

1. The Lung-Powered Classic: Blow It Up Yourself

I know, it’s not glamorous. But sometimes your lungs are all you need. While this works best for smaller floats, it’s a quick and easy solution if you have the patience and stamina of an athlete (or just want to challenge your lung capacity).

It’s basically like blowing up a giant balloon. Doable? Yes. Fun? Not so much. You might end up with cheeks puffed like a puffer fish, but hey, you’ll get the job done.

Tips for Using Your Lungs:

• Pace yourself: No need to go full marathon mode. Take breaks, breathe deeply, and hydrate!
• Use your tongue: A weird tip, I know, but pressing your tongue against the valve while inhaling prevents air from escaping. To rest a bit, you can place your finger on the valve – though small air will escape in the process.
• Skip this for large floats: If you’re staring down an oversized inflatable unicorn, I suggest you move on to method #2. Trust me, your lungs will thank you.

Why This Works: You have lungs, and they work – simple as that! But, realistically, it’s only a good idea for smaller floats. Anything larger, and you’ll feel like you’ve just run a 5Km without moving from your chair.

2. Blow It Cool with a Hair Dryer

Now, here’s where we get a bit more creative. Ever thought of using your hair dryer to inflate a pool float without a pump? Well, neither did I until I tried it – and yes, it works!

Items like a hairdryer (with a cool setting) can help you out in a pinch. This method works surprisingly well and require far less lung capacity than method #1. Plus, you get to feel like a DIY genius when you use your hairdryer for something other than your hair.

However, you will need to cut the top of a plastic water bottle. You also need a duct tape. The top of the plastic water bottle will help you funnel all the air from the dryer through the nozzle into the pool float. Use the duct tape to tape the plastic bottle top to the air dryer mouth.

Steps to Inflate with a Hair Dryer:

1. Switch it to cool: The last thing you want is to melt your float. Hot air + plastic = bad news.
2. Hold the dryer’s nozzle at the valve: The plastic water bottle top you cut will create as tight a seal as you can to keep the air from escaping.
3. Turn it on: Voilà! Your float should start to plump up. Adjust your positioning if air starts to leak.

Why It Works: Hair dryers push out a decent amount of air. The key here is using the cool setting to avoid damaging the float. It’s not the fastest method, but it works well for medium-sized inflatables.

Bonus Points for Cool Factor: You’ll feel like you’ve just unlocked a secret level in “DIY hacks” when you pull this off.

3. Vacuum Cleaner (Yes, Really!)

Next up, we have the humble vacuum cleaner. No, I’m not telling you to vacuum up your float – just reverse the airflow! Many vacuums have a setting or attachment that blows air out rather than sucking it in, making it an excellent tool for inflating things.

How to Use a Vacuum Cleaner to Inflate:

1. Switch to blow mode: If your vacuum has a reverse airflow setting, great! If not, you can usually attach the hose to the exhaust outlet.
2. Seal the valve with the hose: Try to get a good fit. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but the tighter the seal, the better the airflow.
3. Turn it on: Watch as your float goes from floppy to fabulous.

Why This Works: Vacuums are powerful! They push out a lot of air, so they’re a great (and fast) way to inflate larger floats. If you’ve got a giant pool float that’s giving you grief, this is your new best friend.

4. Balloon Pump to the Rescue

So, you don’t have a pool float pump, but maybe you have a balloon pump leftover from your last party? Turns out, this little device is a great alternative for inflating a pool float without a pump. It’s simple, compact, and works like a charm.

How to Use a Balloon Pump:

1. Insert the pump into the valve: It should fit nicely, but if not, don’t worry – just hold it snugly.
2. Pump it up: Use steady, consistent motions to inflate the float. It’ll take a bit of time for larger floats, but it’s far less effort than blowing by mouth.

Why This Works: Balloon pumps are designed to inflate things, so they naturally work with pool floats. It’s slower than a motorized pump but much easier than doing it by hand (or lungs).

5. Plastic Bag Method: Who Knew?

Here’s a trick I bet you didn’t see coming – using a plastic bag to inflate your pool float. It might sound weird, but this method works surprisingly well, especially when you’re out of other options.

How to Use a Plastic Bag:

1. Fill the bag with air: Open the bag wide and wave it around to trap as much air as possible.
2. Seal the bag over the float’s valve: You want to make sure the opening of the bag covers the valve tightly.
3. Squeeze the air into the float: Push the air out of the bag and into the float. Repeat until the float is fully inflated.

Why This Works: Air is air, and a plastic bag is just a makeshift pump! It’s a bit unconventional, but when you’re without a proper pump, it’s a solid last resort.

6. Bicycle Pump – A Common Household Hero

If you’re a cyclist, you probably have a bicycle pump sitting in your garage. Turns out, it’s agreat alternative for inflating your pool float. You might need a valve adapter depending on the float’s size, but other than that, it’s a straightforward process.

If you have either of these lying around, you’re in luck! They’re a bit slower than a properair pump, but they get the job done with much less effort than blowing by mouth. They’re lifesavers, especially for larger floats.

How to Use a Bicycle Pump:

1. Attach the pump to the valve: This may require an adapter, depending on your float’s valve size.
2. Start pumping: Use smooth, even strokes. You’ll get there!

Why This Works: Bicycle pumps are made for inflating things – usually tires, but they work just fine on pool floats too. It’s slower than an electric pump but far less effort than doing it by mouth.

7. Leaf Blower – Your Fast-Track to Inflating Heaven

If you’re really in a bind and happen to own a leaf blower (or your neighbor does), you’ve hit the jackpot. This powerhouse will have your float inflated in record time, no question. However, you will need to cut a plastic water bottle top to serve as the nozzle to get the air into the float

How to Use a Leaf Blower:

1. Aim the blower at the valve: Try to get the air going into the valve as directly as possible using he cut plastic bottle top.
2. Let it rip: Within seconds, your float will go from pancake to puffed.

Why This Works: Leaf blowers are designed to move a lot of air, fast. Just be careful not to over-inflate, or you could end up with a popped float (and that’s no fun).

The Bottom Line on How to Inflate a Pool Float Without a Pump

Now that you know how to inflate a pool float without a pump, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got options – plenty of them! Whether it’s using a plastic bag, a hairdryer, or even your own breath, there’s no need to worry if you forget your air pump again.

Sure, some methods might leave you a little winded or covered in plastic bags, but at the end of the day, you’ll be floating on that pool, cocktail in hand, without a care in the world. And that’s what summer’s all about!