Kristen Johnson will be featured on this weekend's "News to Me" on CNN:

SYNOPSIS:
During an NBA half time show an escape artist's hands and feet are shackled and chained. She's lowered into a full tank of water and locked inside. After 3 minutes it's clear... something is wrong... she can no longer hold her breath... her body goes limp in the tank. It's all caught on camera. You'll see the scary video and find out what went wrong


The show airs seven times over the weekend. They shot the interview this past Tuesday. It will show the footage from that NBA game as well as talk with Kristen about what happened and what else she is up to.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/news.to.me/

The video is now permanently on our youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbvokC6xo20

Kevin

That's just plain frightening, and I know it wasn't the only time this has happened. I would love to see the interview, but my satellite dish is frozen solid. Hopefully it will be OK by the weekend. I don't think I want to see the video again. I like you guys too much to think about what could happen.
Stan

Ironically..if Kristen had been 100% successful - CNN probably wouldn't be interested in interviewing her about the NBA halftime stunt.

In the "escape business" - unfortunately, the media usually doesn't pay attention to us - unless we have a near-death/drowning.

None-the-less, congratulations to the CNN segment.

Glad to hear she's ok. That was scary.

What exactly is a Hypoxic Seizure?

In laymen's term...
Hypoxia is when the brain goes into survival mode and shuts down all unnecessary body functions to preserve oxygen for the brain. The brain STILL has oxygen at this point. One very cool thing it also does is to close the larynx to keep water from entering the lungs. However, this only lasts for a brief period, then it relaxes and opens. Before that happens, the victim needs to be above water. If so, then the brain may or may not sense it automatically. If it does, then breathing will resume on its own. If it doesn't, then usually a third party can get the body to start breathing again.

All in all...the body is amazing.

Kevin

Kevin - great explanation!

I have to agree Kristens body is amazing - and yours is pretty amazing too! How quickly you got her out and to safety was great! - mins not so amazing (its theos dang feet again)

Well done BOTH of you (not only on the recovery but also on the promotional tiome your getting too). It strersses that what we do is VERY dangerous and can go wrong.

Any how hope all goes well with the interview and you get some more press out of it - you certainly know how to work it!

Dave

Nice one!

Thank you for the description. That cleared up a lot for me.

Still, scary stuff.

Oh Bother, I don't get CNN's HLN channel. Will this report make it onto the web?

Kevin,

That was VERY uncomfortable for me to watch! As we chatted about when you were out here in Texas a few days after it happened, I have SOOOOO MUCH respect for the both you for doing what you do. I sure as heck wouldn't do it. I'm glad Kristen is ok and on the quick road to recovery.

Whew...I'm tired just watching that clip!

Christopher

I haven't been able to catch the News To Me on CNN yet but I have to ask.
What did you do after the performance? Was it just another night? Did you go to the hospital? Have you had a follow up evaluation since then?

Ok, now I've seen the interview.

I'm still curious though, did you see a doctor that night or later?

Tony,
That night was just another day at the office as far as Kristen is concerned. She felt fine after...again the uniqueness of hypoxia. This past Friday she had a physical and while the doctor doesn't see anything wrong with Kristen(other than her choice of profession), an MRI is being done in a few weeks.

The CNN piece aired this past weekend and we feel it was well done. I'll post it on youtube later this week.

Thanks again for all the thought, emails and calls.

Kevin & Kristen

Wow,

CNN showed the clip on their web site, so I have now seen it. Hats of to Kristen. I can't imagine being able to talk about something like that so calmly. You did a great job.

Great interview. I agree with Kristen that she should not watch the escape on tape. I've seen it twice, and that is more than enough. Here is the link to the CNN interview:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoft......eosearch

Glad to here there was some form of medical follow up. Of course I'm really glad to hear she's ok.

In the past has Kristen opted not to perform an escape because she felt the risk was too great?

Wow, that was a scary video to watch...

I'm very happy that Kristen is okay though and send my best to you both...

I am glad that she is fine after having experienced that very horrible accident.

I saw Kristen perform her escape last summer at the Iowa State Fair and it was great! Sorry to hear that this happened. It's good to know that Kristen is ok and ready to continue. Kevin and Kristen I wish you God's peace and safty as you continue your shows.

She should have used the "the illusion went just as planned" line as done on americas got talent!

Ok, just trying to make you smile. Glad to see she and both of you are doing well! Glad she is safe!

It was unfortunated but Ia m sure every performer out there had a bad day. She did that illusion successfully in recent TV show. I was amazed how long she could hold her breath under the water. I am glad that she is OK now.