Blaine takes a dive with aquarium stunt

MAGICIAN David Blaine began his latest stunt last night, lowering himself into the “human aquarium” where he will live for the next seven days before attempting to break the world record for holding breath under water.

And the American announced an unexpected twist to the challenge — he would be handcuffed into 150lb of metal chains for the dramatic finale.

Blaine, 33, said he would have to escape the shackles while holding his breath or drown.

The illusionist will have tubes giving him oxygen and liquid nutrition to keep him alive as he floats in the 2.5-metre-high acrylic fish bowl in New York’s Lincoln Centre.

The current record for holding breath under water stands at eight minutes and 58 seconds.

Blaine entered the tank wearing trousers, rubber shoes and a special diving mask. He has a specially-designed wetsuit he can put on if necessary.

He risks suffering from hypothermia, blacking out, skin problems and nerve damage during the challenge.

Blaine told the crowds gathered he was feeling “pretty good” about the week ahead.

“I’ve been on an intensive schedule, more so than for anything I’ve ever done in my life,” he said.

“I had a really good test last night in a pool but I’ve changed the stunts just a little bit.

“They’re going to drop me into the bottom of the sphere so basically, besides holding my breath for about nine minutes, hopefully I’ll have to escape from all these chains and if not I will drown and the world will see something pretty insane.”