David Blaine?

[fogish]

A man named David Blaine is going to attempt to hold his breath for over 8:58 on TV (to break the world record?), part of a two hour special or something. http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2006/04/13/165499-magician-set-to-live-in-aquarium?pp=1 Has anyone even heard of this guy before? I swear in another thread I have seen times longer than 8:58 as well. Anyone have any info on this, or is he just someone out for attention?


*edit: link may be down due to heavy traffic load. The finale will air live in a two-hour ABC special on May 8.*

 

[efattah]

David Blaine is one of the best magicians in the world. He has recently enlisted Kirk Krack of Performance Freediving to train him, in the hopes of breaking the 8'58" WR of Tom Sietas (all times over 8'58" have been unofficial training times, all the way up to Tom's 10'08").

David Blaine doesn't lack willpower. His previous stunts included standing in a block of ice for 58 hours, as well as laying in a transparent box (fasting) for 40 days.

I believe in his first session with Kirk he was already around 5'30", in December.

 

[matrixed82]

If he can pull it off that would be an amazing feat given that he was only doing 5:30 in December. From that news article it says the show is scheduled for May 8th. Does anyone know if he is even close to 8:58 right now?

 

[MBanks]

I imagine that freediving will see a very large increase in an awareness of the subject and popularity after this program is aired.....I wonder what the consequences will be?

 

[DeepThought]

I imagine that freediving will see a very large increase in an awareness of the subject and popularity after this program is aired.....I wonder what the consequences will be?

Kids drowning in pools? I really hope not.

That aside, thing about magicians is that they have a way of presenting to do something while not always really doing it. If he indeed breaks the record I hope this will be a true breathold and not a product of creative thinking + budget.

Also, the link doesn't work for me.

 

[Stephan Whelan]

As far as I know David has gone through a comprehensive training program with Kirk Krack. The only point will be whether he is observed by AIDA officials to make it a formal record.

 

[Lockedin]

While I have little doubt that Mr. Blaine has done extensive training, let's not forget that he's an illusionist by trade. Still, it should be interesting to watch.

 

[naiad]

That aside, thing about magicians is that they have a way of presenting to do something while not always really doing it. If he indeed breaks the record I hope this will be a true breathold and not a product of creative thinking + budget.

I agree. If it does go ahead, I would like to see it approved by AIDA.

I hope that there is a strong safety message on the show. There should be a warning to NEVER, EVER try something like that without the proper safety cover.

I really hope that it doesn't lead to a spate of accidents in pools and at home. David Blaine's shows are very popular here in the UK, and people will try to copy what they see.

 

[efattah]

The vast majority of David's stunts are not illusions. When he stood in the block of ice he eventually collapsed from hypothermia, and after the 44 day fast scientists examined him and published the results (after he lost 50lbs of bodyweight). He could have 'faked' these feats, but he chose not to...

 

[DeepThought]

I think David Blaine might have a chance to become a really good depth diver...
Disapears in water of bad visibility, breaks computer, summons the tag to his hand, apears breathless on the surface. [dramatic music and applause]

BTW, I'm all for him, as long as he does it properly. And Tom needs some competition.

 

[naiad]

Maybe people don't always try to copy stunts... I haven't heard of anyone else trying the one of not eating for 40 days. I would probably get to about half a day. Holding my breath is ok, but going without food is something else.

Food or air, which is harder to resist?

 

[MBanks]

I think that he will actually attempt the "stunt", as he calls it, for real. However as a showman there may well be aspects like a broken computer etc, to generate a greater sense of danger/excitement, as someone doing a 10min+ static probably won't captivate the general public enough. I will be interested to see it though....anything underwater is worth seeing in my opinion