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Odini731 New user 6 Posts |
I completely agree 100% with Mr. Burell. We (escape artists) should not bicker amongst ourselves. We should try and get the record back in the book because to us it is obviously important, as to who actually is the fastest at getting out and, personally, it would be nice to know.
As you said, there should be regulations by escapologists not magicians and by not Guinness because it is escapologists who know it is legit. But what do I know? |
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Stuart Burrell Veteran user England 385 Posts |
Thank you for your kind words.
The rules we use in the modern records are penned by escape artists and there is always a debate as to how much information is disclosed in them as they become available to the public. This is then agreed with Guinness and then you have to prove that what you have done has complied with the rules you have written and their own requirements as in video stills and independent witness statements. Out of all the records I know that have been submitted, only about five percent get selected or picked up by GWR. The main issue is that when people say "this is a record," they get asked if it is in the Guinness World Records Book. So the pressure is on to get it into the book which is very hard, as it depends on the person reading the submission far more than the skill of the author to create a valid record. When I started I felt there was a niche for a "World Championship" (those who remember my posts on it can cringe once again). The issues become what would the rules be, who would judge and what criteria would be examined and marked on? These are complex questions that are subject to personal opinions. The main problem that has caused escapology to be left behind is the lack of a single body. The only problem is that when such a body is formed, then someone is unhappy due to this person being selected or someone else does not think the opinion of that person is valid. It is human nature, it is not limited to escapology. That is why the "community" exists on the forums. It is the closest thing we have to a "club" that we can all join. This forum is lucky, as we have the likes of David Straitjacket (one of the UK's best performers), X-Treem (a legend of the future) and Mr. Santini (a true living legend)...to name but a few. The works of X-Treem and Santini are well known and respected and David Straitjacket's site is an education in of itself if you, like me, stink when it comes to escaping from an SJ. You can also subscribe to Escape Masters, I've learned a lot from all of the above. As this topic has shown, getting everyone to agree on every single point regarding rules or timing or anything is going to be difficult, however, given what we do, it does not need to be impossible. |
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James Peters Veteran user Romford, UK 385 Posts |
Odini,
The rules and validation for my record attempt have taken months to organize. The eight hours included the time to be put back into the jacket, for an independent witness to check every strap on the jacket (every time) to make sure there was no slack and then to perform the escape. The timer will start at 9 am and stop at 5 pm. There are requirements for qualified medical personnel to be present to supervise, two independent witnesses—one of whom must know something about straitjackets—a professional timekeeper...just to mention a few. The straitjacket must be checked and must not be modified in any way. It must be fitted as per the medical instructions that accompany it, although probably tighter than in a medical institution. As to make it safe, you're not supposed to do it up too tight. For the record, they want it as tight as possible! Sixteen seconds from a Posey? No problem...if it's gimmicked! Regards James |
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Odini731 New user 6 Posts |
It wasn't gimmicked, it was all skill.
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knightmagic98 Regular user Frisco, TX 143 Posts |
My personal best from a Posey is 18 seconds...that was a rough one!
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Stuart Burrell Veteran user England 385 Posts |
I'm very impressed. If you can do it consistently then there is no doubt that some day people will read of your exploits.
With regard to records and making sure they are recognized, there are three main ways of setting a "recognized" record. One is to have the endorcement of a governing body, such as the Federation International Automobile (FIA) in France which covers landspeed records and international motorsport. Two is to go cap in hand to Guinness and hope they like the record and will consent to accepting it. This is very hard and there seems to be no consistency in their accepting records. Lastly is to set a record and make sure the general public accepts it so no one can doubt you did it. Please note, this never works outside of cartoons and those born under a lucky star. Option one is out due to the lack of a governing body for escapology. A governing body would be great, however, which would be its focus? Traditional escapology? Houdini tribute acts? Extreme sport escapology (it does exist)? Marathon escapology? Magicians that do escapology as an afterthought? Or people who have lived the art form since birth? Also, who would make the choice? Option three seems to be the main effort for a lot of people, however, there is doubt that the jacket 100% legit. Who is to say the straitjackets today are 100% legit, as they are only made for specialized uses outside the medical world? At least that's what I've been told. That leaves us with option two, the route many have gone down and few have traversed successfully. Due to the nature of it, harsh though it may seem, records are ignored. Those that succeed try their hardest to make the world notice the artform once again. Rather than complain that this record is not respected or that record has been voided, perhaps it is time for the community to unite behind those that have traversed the perils of the Guinness submission process and compete for the records they have struggled to set? Sometimes we must work with the tools we are given, rather than what we want. My comments regarding the current stlyes of jacket was not to imply they are all gimmicked, simply that they are no longer used in the medical community (in the UK at least). As a result there is no "easy" way for a member of the public to get a straitjacket for a challenge. (Not that it was easy to get one before.) The term "legit" was meant to refer to the fact that they have not come from "institutions" rather than imply that they are all gimmicked. I hope that this has not caused any unwanted concern. Good luck to Mr. Peters in his record attempt with an ungimmicked jacket. I hope to be able to come and see it on the day. |
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Kronos9326 Loyal user Toronto 229 Posts |
A friend of mine isn't going for the fastest, but the highest instead.
http://www.trickstersyndicate.com He's attempting to break the record by being hung 10,000 feet up in the air upside down from a hot air balloon. I don't know much about altitudes, but I do know it must be cold. He's attempting it sometime in the middle of August. David |
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Odini731 New user 6 Posts |
May I ask how he got the hot air balloon? I was looking to do it from a height but couldn't find a crane company willing to let me do it. I had to resort to using a helicopter and that was very hard with the wind an all.
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Stuart Burrell Veteran user England 385 Posts |
Check the wording of the rules as defined by Guinness, I'd hate for your friend to attempt a very grand and dangerous escape only to be thwarted by a word or two on a bit of paper.
If it states the escape artist should be suspended from a rope at given height, then finding the way you reach that height is open to interpretation, however, if it requires it to be static then it will have to be off a crane or building or a crane on top of a building. I have not been able to find out the exact wording of the rules but if you go to http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com and use their information system you can find out that way. Good luck to your friend. Not all the records are on the online database but if you ask them they can trace it for you. |
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DavidEscapes Inner circle I'm Special! 1003 Posts |
Hi all,
I have enquired to Guinness myself about setting the record for Posey on stilts. I do intend to use a legit jacket and be put into it by someone who knows what they are doing, hopefully they will come back to me with a positive answer in due course. Stuart, you said: "This forum is lucky, as we have the likes of David Straitjacket (one of the UK's best performers), X-Treem (a legend of the future) and Mr. Santini (a true living legend)...to name but a few." To be mentioned in the same sentence as Steve Santini and Shawn Ness (X-Treem) is an honour, thank you for that. I will try to live up. David Straitjacket
David Victor - The artist formally (and still occasionally) known as David Straitjacket.
My Website Add me on facebook |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Hi, everytime I do a SJ it's a world record! If I am booked for a three minute spot, it takes me three minutes. If I'm booked for a ten minute spot, it takes ten minutes but to the punters, it's always a world record. It's called entertainment!!!
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
The problem I have with a record for "highest altitude" escapes are that they say little or nothing of your escape ability. What they really address is how high you're willing to 'free hang' in the air.
It may as well be having a record for being the first person to escape from a straitjacket in Tibet. This makes you a better escape artist why??
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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Michael Lee Regular user 152 Posts |
Hello All
See my post Any one in the US.. Michael Lee |
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