Thanks for sharing that. I thoroughly agree you should not work when tired or feeling off because that's when mistakes happen. Although perhaps not to blame in this particular instance. Yes, you always need vents. I TIG everything and it's also important there that there is a path out. It doesn't turn your work piece into a pipe bomb (fortunately) but the gases explode upwards from inside the tube and blow a messy hole in your weld. A mistake I have made a few times and it's easy to forget.

Glad your hearing is getting better and I hope you make a full recovery. You must have been very shaken!