Firebreathing is even more epic when seen from first-person

Via the Royal Institution of Great Britain comes this entertaining TV on the science of firebreathing , featuring some really smashing footage shot from the perspective of scientist and fire - eaterDr . Tim Cockerill .

As Cockerill explicate in the video , firebreathingultimately roil down to the unique reactive property of oxygen , which enables fuel to burn , but fuel volatility is important , as well . By using his mouth to atomize a less - volatile fuel ( this increasing the surface area and ignitability of each droplet ) , Cockerill can spit out flaming while minimizing the jeopardy of burning his face off . Good thing , too ; the first - person shots in this video had us feeling frightened for our eyebrows .

This is a man breathe ardor in slow motion