David Blaine Risks Death Once Again, Hangs Upside Down in NYC

By Chris Georg
23:16, September 22nd 2008
45 votes
Vote this story
David Blaine Risks Death Once Again, Hangs Upside Down in NYC

David Blaine is trying to get himself hurt once again for the pleasure of the crowds. The extraordinary stuntman and showman started his 60-hour ordeal hanged upside down over New York's Central Park. Although it may not seem much compared with his previous stunts, it may well be the hardest one ever.

Several doctors have already expressed concern at his attempt, claiming that disrupted blood flow could leave him blind or even kill him. David Blaine himself has claimed that he only trained up to six hours hanging upside down. From six to sixty hours is quite a stretch, and it seems that his crew is nervous too.

He will only drink liquids and will be able to urinate through a catheter inserted through his penis. Thus he will not be able to eat or sleep. Blaine will be hopefully dropping to the ground in acceptable health at 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Blaine said he has prepared for the two and a half day stunt by losing some weight and performing special exercises, in addition to hanging upside down for a few hours at a time. However, there are dozens of health risks associated with his latest stunt, and nobody can really train for this kind of ordeal.

David Blaine (born David Blaine White on April 4, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York City, USA) made his name as a performer of street and close-up illusions. He has allegedly dated Fiona Apple, Madonna, Josie Maran, and Lonneke Engel. He has the concentration camp number, 174517, of Primo Levi tattooed on his left forearm.

In April, less than two years after going into convulsions during a similar attempt, magician David Blaine broke the previous world record for breath-holding after resisting under water for 17 minutes and 4 seconds, live on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Known for his risky illusions and various endurance acts, the Brooklyn-born magician spend over 17 minutes in a water-filled sphere before being pulled out by divers. The previous record was 16 minutes and 32 seconds, set earlier this year by Switzerland's Peter Colat, according to Guinness World Records. In order to flush carbon dioxide from his blood, Blaine inhaled pure oxygen for over 20 minutes before diving in the "human aquarium" that was 8 feet in diameter.

Previously, it was rumored that he will attempt to break the sleep deprivation record this year, but it's unclear whether that is still on. Briton Tony Wright stayed awake for 11.5 days, but Guinness World Records refused to list the feat, because of the "grave risk" to his mental health.



© 2007 - 2009 - eFluxMedia
dotclear

Other News in

Brad Pitt Comes Clean about Relationships with Jolie and Aniston

Brad Pitt Comes Clean about Relationships with Jolie and Aniston

  Brad Pitt faced and cleared allegations that he began an affair with Angelina Jolie while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Fed up with rumors circulating about his love life,...

Charges Have Been Dropped Against Actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright

Charges Have Been Dropped Against Actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright

  Los Angeles attorney Blair Berk, who represented "W." stars Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright, said that prosecutors have agreed at a court hearing on Tuesday to drop the charges...

Brad Pitt Says He Did Not Cheat on Aniston

Brad Pitt Says He Did Not Cheat on Aniston

In a story posted on W magazine’s website, actor Brad Pitt, 45, said he had been faithful to Jennifer Aniston all throughout their relationship, also adding that he and Angelina Jolie had only...

Too Much Plastic Surgery Made: Lisa Rinna Looks Like A 'Freak'

Too Much Plastic Surgery Made: Lisa Rinna Looks Like A 'Freak'

Former "Melrose Place" star Lisa Rinna opened up about her biggest plastic surgery regrets saying she overdid Juvederm injections into her cheeks. In a new interview with momlogic.com,...

Elvis Remains the King in the Hearts of His Adoring Fans

Elvis Remains the King in the Hearts of His Adoring Fans

Today, Elvis Presley would have turned 74, if he were still alive. It has been more than 30 years since the King of Rock and Roll passed away, but every year fans continue to get their share of The...

dotclear
Latest videos in People
Talk of the Town:Brad as...
Talk of the Town: Jett...
Jett Travolta..the autopsy
Talk of the Town: Travolta's...
Cyrus on Travolta's loss

dotclear
People You are here: People
» Movie Reviews   » Movies   » Music   » People   
E-mail To A Friend Print RSS Text size: Decrease font size Increase font size
dotclear
dotclear
dotclear
Most Popular in People
A Lot of Grief Left after Jett Travolta’s DeathA Lot of Grief Left after Jett Travolta’s Death

» read full story
dotclear

Interested In This Topic?

News Alert will keep you informed. Find out more.
dotclear
Photos Gallery
dotclear
Today's Latest News
Obama’s Health Care System Reform Plans Draw Mixed ReactionObama’s Health Care System Reform Plans Draw Mixed Reaction

» read full story
dotclear