David Blaine has long been known for his magic and daring stunts, but his new series, “David Blaine: DO NOT ATTEMPT,” takes these feats to a whole new level. As Blaine journeys across the globe to uncover the secrets behind extraordinary acts of endurance, he pushes his own limits in cultures ranging from Brazil to Japan. While the series offers stunning displays of human strength and magical prowess, it’s also a testament to the critical role of tech and innovation in ensuring safety. In an exclusive interview with Innovation & Tech Today, we spoke with Sebastian Pot, the safety coordinator for the series, about how cutting-edge tech and preparation are key to making these extreme feats possible.
Innovation & Tech Today: What are the main risks you need to address before each stunt is attempted?
Sebastian Pot: Well, each stunt is obviously very different, but the first thing I do is think through the worst-case scenarios. I try to identify the worst outcomes and then work backward toward the smaller details that I might not be considering. It’s not something we teach. Every single situation is different, and you’re considering these worst-case scenarios in your head. The main challenge is to keep yourself calm and look at them objectively. Then you ask, “What can I do to mitigate it?” You assess the situation, considering the dangers and the factors that affect the outcome. What can you change, and what can you put in place to reduce the chance of a bad outcome?
For example, take the fire situation on the bridge in one episode. Flames blowing into someone’s face is a major issue. So, we look at the wind direction. Can we change it? Can we avoid it? We can’t control the wind, so we just have to say, “No, we can’t do this in these conditions.” A lot of the time, it’s about handling pressure and helping others manage pressure. It’s about keeping things calm in the area.
I&T Today: How does technology play a role in ensuring the safety of David Blaine and the team during these extreme feats?
Pot: The technology I use is actually pretty old-school. I help a lot of people with their breathing, check heart rates, and watch for signs of stress, like sweating. If someone looks like they’re struggling, I’ll pull them aside and help them out. Sometimes, people who aren’t directly involved in the stunt can bring more danger to the set than the performers themselves. So, I’m keeping an eye on everything.
In terms of innovative technology, one thing I use is an app from a company called King Devik, which helps monitor concussion effects. That’s probably the most high-tech tool I use. Otherwise, most of my experience comes from 30 years of practice. The biggest impact technology has had is on communications. We can now track everyone’s location, see where hospitals are, and even know where we could land a helicopter if needed—all from my phone. In the last 30 years, technology has made my life a lot easier.
I&T Today: What kind of training do the performers undergo to prepare for these dangerous stunts?
Pot: The performers are all individuals who have been practicing their craft for years, often repeating the same actions over and over. When we bring something new to the table, like having David Blaine dive with sharks, I turn to the experts. In this case, I’ll ask Walter, who’s been diving for decades, how we can achieve David’s goals. My role is to facilitate communication between the experts and David, ensuring they understand each other well. The performers are already highly skilled, but what I do is help them handle the mental challenges that come with new environments and the added pressure of cameras.
I&T Today: How do you prepare the crew and performers mentally and physically for these extreme feats?
Pot: My main responsibility is the crew. I’ve worked with some of them for over 20 years, so we have great communication and trust. My priority is always getting them home safely to their partners. If a crew member is shooting from a dangerous location, like a cliff, I’ll make sure they’re roped up and safe. If we’re shooting from a moving vehicle, I’ll be there making sure everything is secure, running the communications, and talking to the driver.
Every day, we hold a safety briefing. Sometimes it’s just a few minutes, but if we’re doing something more complicated, we’ll go into more detail. If we’re diving under ice, for example, we bring in specialists who know how to manage that risk. My goal is to minimize unnecessary risks while keeping everyone safe.
I&T Today: How do you use technology to predict or prevent potential accidents during stunts?
Pot: The most advanced piece of tech I have is my earpiece so I can hear everyone. Other than that, there isn’t much in terms of predicting accidents. However, technology has certainly improved our gear. For example, we now have lighter, more efficient thermal clothing. Everyone is wearing high-tech materials that keep us warm without the bulk of old gear. These advances have been game-changers for working in extreme environments.
Technology has also helped with communications. I was one of the first users of Google Earth in 2004, and now everyone has access to it on their phone. For weather, I use multiple apps to track storms and plan when and where to do a stunt. In the past, we would rely on weather forecasts that were often unreliable. Now, I can look at the live radar and get accurate data about the weather in real time.
I&T Today: You’ve been doing this for 30 years, so you’ve seen a lot of changes. Has the adoption of technology allowed you to attempt more difficult stunts, or have you done them before without these tools?
Pot: Everything evolves, and technology is a big part of that. The limits we push today are more extreme, and technology has certainly played a role. I started in mountain biking, and even back then, technology helped us navigate remote areas. Today, we can push boundaries further because of the tools available. For example, aerial technology has advanced to the point where we can do things like fly with jets under wings, which would have been unthinkable 30 years ago. So, yes, technology is a huge part of what we can achieve now.
“DAVID BLAINE DO NOT ATTEMPT” premieres on March 23 at 9/8c on National Geographic and will be available to stream the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.”
