So I came across this illusion by Dale Harney:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rAOrawuRvI

I'm a little confused on the very premise of the trick. Is he trying to drum up tension that the bag his assistant is in could rip and thus she'll be underwater? Wouldn't it be a lot more dangerous yet exciting to have his assistant hold her breath underwater inside that tank instead?

I think he was just adding a bit of mystery to the escape. How did she get out of all that and stay dry. Honestly I felt Dale's narrative was boring and too long, but he did the job and the audience liked it. A bit dated too, he sounded like Monty Hall on "Let's Make a Deal." Still, I think it was a good gimmick and a good escape.

I don't think it is an escape I think this is well in the realm of a puzzle or illusion at best. Clearly its old and back then audiences were different and may well have been entertained.