I WAS THERE! How David Blaine flew helium balloons to the height of jets (and jumped)

Check out David Blaine's video with Physics Girl's Dianna Cowern: • PhysicsGirl schools me...
ASCENSION full Livestream:
• David Blaine Ascension
David Blaine casually floated up to 25,000ft over the Arizona desert holding 52 helium balloons. I was invited to witness the testing and preparation!
Thanks to David Blaine, Luke Aikins, and the rest of the team for having us and for taking such good health and safety precautions!
Thanks to Kyle Kitzmiller.
physicsgirl.org/
/ thephysicsgirl
/ thephysicsgirl
/ thephysicsgirl
Creator/Host: Dianna Cowern
Editor: Levi Butner
Production Assistant: Kyle Kitzmiller
Research: Sophia Chen
Research: Hope Butner
Research: Patrick Muhlberger
Sources:
Victorians who flew as high as jets:
www.bbc.com/fu...
FAA Info on Decompression Sickness
www.faa.gov/pi...
Cerebral Hypoxia Information
www.ninds.nih....

[@DANGJOS]

8:09 This is actually the reason storm clouds flatten when they reach the top of the troposphere. Where the stratosphere begins (troposphere ends), the air temperature starts to climb, and this temperature inversion means that moist buoyant masses of air lose their buoyancy because the air mass is no longer less dense than the surrounding air. So it flattens out.

[@LanceTitan]

Smart boi

[@takanara7]

Interesting fax m8.

[@ninjadragon0949]

idk wat u r saying. u r to smart for me

[@1.4142]

In addition, air is significantly less dense and drier in the stratosphere, stopping the updraft and preventing most cloud formation. At equatorial regions, thermal expansion causes the troposphere to be 17 kilometres (11 miles) tall while is only 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) over the polar regions. This is why thunderstorms are significantly taller along the equator. While the updraft spreads out under the tropopause to form an anvil, vigorous thunderstorms will overshoot into the lower stratosphere when the updraft has enough momentum. When an overshooting top is present for 10 minutes or longer, it is a strong indication that the storm is severe. These overshooting tops can also create gravity waves.

[@DANGJOS]

@@1.4142 Fascinating thanks!

[@Rubrickety]

“It looks like a cluster of nerds!” - Diana describing her fan base.

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

More people should know about her. So this guy wants to beat Felix Baumgartner and Adam Savage at the same time. Hmm...

[@Sohlstyce]

ikr

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

So a group of nerds is a cluster.

[@Jindy2]

Yeah, Rick. I reckon you've nailed it.

[@ahmdabdallah5811]

What Is Islam? Islam is not just another religion. It is the same message preached by Moses, Jesus and Abraham. Islam literally means ‘submission to God’ and it teaches us to have a direct relationship with God. It reminds us that since God created us, no one should be worshipped except God alone. It also teaches that God is nothing like a human being or like anything that we can imagine. The concept of God is summarized in the Quran as: { “Say, He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He does not give birth, nor was He born, and there is nothing like Him.”} (Quran 112:1-4) Becoming a Muslim is not turning your back to Jesus. Rather it’s going back to the original teachings of Jesus and obeying him

[@TimeWasted8675309]

"Speed Dating in a Hypoxic Chamber" - what a great idea for a new Netflix reality-show competition !

[@kmacdizzle]

After seeing destin from smarter everyday idk if I’d say it’s a good idea lol definitely entertaining tho

[@redsalmon9966]

@Kyle Macdonald That’s some second hand heart attack material

[@wheelch0ck]

Warren, I can't stop laughing! You should pitch the idea. I would watch it! ,🤣

[@skierpage]

Increasingly replace the oxygen with helium for high-pitched giggles.

[@aadesh_kale]

Jubilee

[@princessbuttercup8954]

Dianna I just wanna tell you how grateful and thankful I am that my 13 year old (almost 14 😬) daughter has someone like you that she looks up to. We watch your videos together and you're an amazing role model. She asked me to buy us matching "I love physics" shirts for her bday and we can't wait to get them in. As a parent I try to share with them my love for science but it gets harder the older they get. My son (10) also loves your channel and wants you to be his science teacher. 😊 Thank you for making physics fun and entertaining for people of all ages.

[@Szobiz]

[@atriyakoller136]

And thank you for showing your kids the right content, you seem like an amazing parent :3

[@RUFF-UNIT]

That's brill,gold starts all round 🤸

[@bread2951]

I am glad to know that not all teens are going downhill. I hope you influence many other parents.

[@scienceisall2632]

Awwww

[@ChrisRamsay52]

Loved this!

[@Nidukfernando]

Dudee it's crazy right ???!!

[@tedmarks6836]

Meh 😑

[@nandupatil6416]

Nobody Chris solving puzzles that's it

[@adam6806]

This is a fantastic crossover of so many of my favorite people and things. Love it. Thanks for dropping a comment :)

[@feredox6655]

Are u related to gordon

[@mx2000]

It's not called the Death Zone because people just die there. It's called that because your body doesn't recover anymore, so you just get continually more fatigued, even when resting. So that's why people without O2 try to keep the time at the top as short as possible.

[@jackhousser2817]

Yeah I remember someone telling me about how if you get a cut on your finger up there you won’t heal. But it is possible to survive just dangerous.

[@keirfarnum6811]

Except Reinhold Messner.

[@DrNo007]

THIS

[@RedRocket4000]

Sherpa live because they have a gene that greatly helps retain oxygen at that level this gene present in people of that region. Saw special on expedition up to area to save relics from Clift side tombs that were eroding and spilling contents below. The non natives blood oxygen was just above 80 precent while the locals were still mid nineties precent. Studies seam to show that the upper mountains were not inhabited till this genetic mutation occurred. So no us normal humans can't live as high up as Sherpa can live.

[@insertclevernamehere2506]

@@RedRocket4000 Good example of a beneficial selective mutation. Typifies the core evolutionary concept of adaptation occurring mostly at the boundary conditions in an environment.

[@rbkstudios2923]

I just love the way Dianna interacts with people and asks basically all the necessary questions about the design and risks involved

[@AxxLAfriku]

WARNING I am the unprettiest human YTer worldwide, but somehow I have TWO HOT KZbinR girlfriends. Thanks for being a future subscryber, dear rbk

[@rbkstudios2923]

@@AxxLAfriku I'm sorry dude But I don't think that your content is actually my kinda thing

[@Wild_Bill57]

That’s what a good communicator does! Just sayin’

[@radish6691]

Without a mask... 😡

[@enmodo]

"They call it the death zone and i don't believe it because Sherpas survive on the top of Everest"... so misleading. For one Sherpas are evolved to have more efficient haemoglobin, and second it's called the death zone because ordinary people without that advantage simply cannot get enough oxygen to circulate and experience death of brain cells. Your chance of stroking out at that altitude is dramatically increased and many people do literally die on the mountain. Another factor is being acclimatized... A dramatic rise to that altitude is very different from gradual ascent over days. And yeah, hypoxia which can kill you through bad judgement is very real even for highly trained free divers. There's a reason competitions have a cognitive test for folks after such a dive.

[@qwerty_and_azerty]

5:15 hmmmm........ 15,0000 ft you say?

[@zeikjt]

Physics Girl flexing her next level maths

[@DANGJOS]

Lol how did I not notice this?

[@libertarianguy5567]

I was hoping nobody else noticed this, so much for being the first.

[@lesliefranklin1870]

What is an extra zero amongst friends? It's only one order of magnitude off.

[@ControlledWrinkles]

Perhaps there is an early Pentium chip in the equation somewhere, what’s a little FDIV Bug between friends?

[@cjpatz]

It’s kinda like the movie “Up”.

[@elementalsheep2672]

Just needs a leafblower

[@chuchugiin8390]

Without the house

[@Puchuchi747]

Less depressing.

[@stevelarry154]

i swear i was gonna comment that just when i read this

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

I think science has reached the point where we're really close to making a house fly with balloons.

[@ActiveAngel2010]

Oh my... lol. David, Sherpas don’t live up above 26k. They travel up there and back down to their homes. These trips often include several days of acclimating and safety stops. Also, they have generations of experience living and working at high altitudes, through which, their bodies have had subtle changes. It’s not an equal comparison to say that your average person can survive there, especially if traveling from near sea level in a period of hours. Also, death wouldn’t occur instantaneously, nor is it equivalent to drowning. Rather, it’s an altitude at which people are increasingly likely to experience death, likely over a period of minutes. Of course, he is a magician and entertainer, so I trust this is all for show and he will be fine. But please don’t spread misinformation! You could hurt someone.

[@brian9731]

David Blaine is not average!

[@Bodhi1satva]

OMG! You’re kidding right? His comment about Sherpas really triggered something in you huh?

[@KalRandom]

I think I read a article years ago, talking about how they and pearl divers have a genetic anomaly that science has yet to explain. Allowing them to do what they do.

[@Bodhi1satva]

Kal Random I’ve heard the same.

[@thror1709]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sImrmJWLn7Wbhbc they are also genetically programmed to function better at high altitudes

[@atticusyong5312]

When you said 15,000 ft 5:19, it shows 15,0000 ft whatever 4 zeros after it is called.

[@nicot9305]

Maybe it's European? I sure don't know!

[@scottswan9292]

1.5 million feet maybe grab the ISS

[@Paul_Ch52]

I believe it's called an error. Being human, they are allowed.

[@nicot9305]

@@Paul_Ch52 So physics teachers are human, hmm? I THINK NOT!!!

[@drlowbatt609]

Feet no longer exist in science ! Please stop with the imperial units. And °F also ... Metric rules the world ! 😎

[@Well_Edumacated]

SHERPAS are not ordinary human beings.

[@AzathothNyxkind]

They have Denisovan genes 🧬

[@Sembazuru]

True. I was going to mention this if someone else didn't. Sherpas (and similar high altitude communities) are physiologically adapted to high altitudes, something us lowlanders aren't.

[@Creadeyh]

Yeah they literally have evolved to better sustain the high altitude low oxygen environment. But even then, they still need oxygen supply at the very top of Everest

[@jpelorat]

Yes, is not a matter of believe,is a matter of adaptation. I think Blaine's comment is at least irresponsible.

[@electricdynomitegamer3988]

It’s called “acclimated”.

[@pushing2throttles]

Sherpa's can survive because of generations of mutations with their red blood cells which has adapted.

[@UsernameInvalidTHIS]

Combination of this and adaptation over weeks or months rather than minutes or hours like what this guy is doing. I hope he's been sleeping in an altitude tent in advance. I can't for the life of me see why it's more impressive or interesting to do sans equipment. But I guess that's why I'm not a TV executive or whatever. Edit: oh hey, he already did it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6jdp4F3dtZ7ack

[@lstuecker]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sImrmJWLn7Wbhbc for those who are interested in the subject it's a great channel

[@gatesgc]

They definitely are conditioned for it, and have got superior hemoglobin to ensure gases exchange at high altitudes with minimal hemoglobin, from a young age there bodies start utilizing this specialized gene, everyone else has to acclimatize to the high altitudes, but if they move away and stay at low altitudes they will eventually loose the gene, it’s really interesting

[@word20]

I have seen sherpas with climbers and the sherpas has also oxygen at 26000 feet, there is no difference for them, this I have seen in youtube videos that Sherpas also have oxygen above 26000 feet

[@DruNature]

I am also wondering if the mountains themselves are holding up the oxygen molecules, whereas if you are just 26k ft above a flat ground all the air has settled 26k ft below you, if you are on top of Everest the mountain itself is holding up a lot of air...

[@engineerinthemaking1]

This reminds me of the MythBusters episode when they were testing whether it was possible for a kid to accidentally get carried away by a bunch of balloons. Based on their results and the enormous engineering effort of David's team, it looks like it takes more than just a few mates and a tank of helium... Fun to think about though!

[@kevinndayishimiye934]

diane: *talking about how air pressure and oxygen levels affect the human body* me: I wonder if I can fit that balloon through my front door?

[@bryanjordan8876]

I hear the back door is wider.

[@kevinndayishimiye934]

@@usuariodeyoutube8850 maybe i am a robot, i doubt it tho

[@kevinndayishimiye934]

@@usuariodeyoutube8850 umm dial down on the emojis lol

[@TurinTuramber]

Dianna?

[@1peanut]

Colorado we go camping and fishing at 13000 feet and hunting at 14,500. Some of the mountain Hwy passes are 12,000 feet and driven daily. People live at 9000 feet their whole lives and there is No coughing or ill side effects. she lying just like the news does to make this stunt seem more extreme.

[@diegogaribay2928]

Your videos get better and better every time! This one was crazy professional and incredibly well done. Keep on going for it! Looking great as always.

[@VincentGroenewold]

The only negative thing about this is the waste of Helium. Which is in short supply.

[@JazzFlop212]

Time to mine the sun

[@alex0589]

A J W good luck, cappa

[@Robert256]

Helium shortage? where did it all go? Did it somehow escape into outer space?

[@InezAllen]

@@Robert256 yes, actually. it's light enough that it escapes the atmosphere, and iirc it can get blasted away by the solar wind

[@PMA65537]

But we'll have fusion in 20 years.

[@ElCharroNegro2023]

I had a partner who was studying a master's degree in volcanology, and on his first ascent to a volcano, due to low pressure, he fainted and his companions had to call a helicopter to rescue him, it was not a good start for someone who wishes dedicate his life to studying volcanoes. ....

[@Zeinzu2]

I'm so happy you not only got to be there. but got to interact and talk to him. Congrats!!!!! So much fun.

[@jimreadey2743]

She may well have been THERE when David Blaine flew helium balloons to the height of jets (and jumped)...but she absolutely did not show us that HERE in this video. No need to watch if that is what you clicked to see.

[@keepsmiling5937]

What the fock? I waited the whole video for him to actually fly. lmao

[@CSJiGSaW08]

Physics Girl, Knowing David Blaine, Its a magic trick. He never went up..... He was always on the ground during the stunt lol...

[@t-wrecks7481]

I thought it was the coolest thing when I saw you talking with David about pressure on his channel the other day. I was like, I know that PhysicsGirl!

[@carboxysome2630]

My only thought is, "what a waste of helium"

[@timeverse1545]

Heyy happy teachers day Dianna , u are an amazing teacher , I have never learned so much physics in my school that I leaned with u .. thankyou for teaching me so much , have a great day ..happy physicsing 😊

[@wdleonard]

David had several things wrong, particularly in his description of what he calls purging. Pursed lip exhalation is a common technique used by mountain climbers. It works because it increases the pressure of air in the lungs allowing more oxygen to enter the blood. It does not diminish the CO2 in the blood unless you also hyperventilate (breathing more rapidly and/or deeply than normal). Hyperventilating to lower the amount of CO2 does not create any more 'room' for oxygen in the blood - they do not compete for space. Hyperventilating will only minimally increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. The technique works to help you hold your breath longer because the primary drive to breath is CO2 build-up, so purging it allows more time before it builds up high enough to make you breathe. However hyperventilation can be very dangerous because it increases the risk of passing out from hypoxia before the CO2 drive-to-breathe kicks in. Lowering the CO2 through hyperventilation also increases the pH of the blood. Although raising the pH does slightly increase the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, it is also thought to be the primary cause of HAPE and HACE and is partly counteracted in mountain climbing by taking diamox. He also claimed that Sherpas are "always" fine in the death zone without O2. Not true, they die there all the time and most of them still use bottled oxygen at the highest elevations. The people of Nepal have developed genetic adaptions to life at high altitude. Anyone who spends time at altitude develops several different physiologic adaptions over time.

[@RedRocket4000]

Yep that gene helps the people up their survive studies show the area uninhabited till that gene evolved. Example expedition for archeological reasons in area the non natives had blood oxygen around low 80's while locals mid 90's. You can't move there and gain the same ability you have to be born with the gene.

[@ebayerr]

In collaboration with KZbin, the event was streamed live. He was carried up to 24,900 feet -- or about 4.7 miles by 52 helium balloons,before skydiving and parachuting back to the ground.

[@DANIEL-ls5ku]

Was there any KZbin link?

[@tommylee2894]

2,000,000 feet = 378.7 miles above the earth and the beginning of the Exosphere. "The most common molecules within Earth's exosphere are those of the lightest atmospheric gases. Hydrogen is present throughout the exosphere, with some helium, carbon dioxide, and atomic oxygen near its base."

[@albertsjoberg1200]

Physics Girl, since helium is a limited resource and we need it for really cool science like CERN and LIGO isn’t this stunt with all the testing simply a waste? For a vanity project?

[@bobiboulon]

We also use it for medical purposes.

[@briani4959]

You're likely referring to the national reserves of Helium. We can get more Helium as a product of natural gas processing, it's just not profitable to do so. Once it's profitable, they'll collect it again.

[@CED99]

@@bobiboulon most medical MRIs have a helium condenser, so use relatively little helium once they are initially filled.

[@bobiboulon]

@@CED99 Ok. I must admit I'm mostly uneducated on that topic.

[@Rancid-Jane]

Helium exploration and extraction is a new and fast growing industry here. We are blessed with reserves almost entirely lacking in hydrocarbons. The percentage is 2 to 3 percent helium. The remainder is mostly nitrogen (like the nitrogen in the atmosphere) a tiny bit of CO2 and water vapour. Helium is produced deep in the earth from radioactive decay. It slowly rises toward the surface and, in most places, it goes into the atmosphere where it rises to the top and is blown off by the solar wind. Here is is trapped by an impervious layer and collects. The helium reserve are much deeper than natural gas and take weeks to drill one well. There are large reserves it appears so we will not be running out of helium. It is a badly needed industry here as ALL the natural gas industry has closed down and removed. Presently lifting grade helium is being exported but by July 2021 medical and research grade helium will be produced.

[@Widdermaker]

Old news. In 1982, “Lawn Chair Larry,” a truck driver, floated up to 16,000 feet from his backyard in a helium-balloon-tied aluminum lawn chair contraption with only a brewski, a CB radio, and a BB gun IN THE APPROACH AIRSPACE FOR LAX! He didn’t know he’d float up so high. Larry had no balloon or pilot training. Airline pilots were hesitant to tell air traffic control what they were seeing in their approach as they thought officials would think they were intoxicated. After a couple of hours floating over 3 miles up, he started shooting out a few balloons to start his descent and made a soft landing, although he took out some power lines on the way down plunging part of Long Beach into a power outage. Here’s a link to that story. allthatsinteresting.com/lawnchair-larry-walters

[@knightedtitan71]

I grew up around 6000 feet, and the first time I noticed it got harder to breathe was while hiking over 10,000. It was crazy how just a few thousand feet made a noticeable difference in my stamina

[@DeconvertedMan]

he had a harness that was attached and just pretended to use one hand to look cool.

[@tomg6284]

He did not fly them. He went for a ride at the mercy of the wind.

[@nooblancer]

Thank you so much for introducing me to the real Physics out of the class room. Happy teacher's day ♥️♥️

[@gregor-samsa]

Look it up: Every 6th on Mount Everest dies. Its called Russian roulette.

[@rickpontificates3406]

Another big danger is, the balloons failing while you’re high enough to die from the fall, but not high enough for the parachute to fully open before impact. 😬

[@leovolont]

there wasn't just ONE balloon on which his life depended. The Risk was distributed over a large number of balloons. How many balloons would have to pop in order to simulate jumping from a six foot ladder? Probably half.

[@nauy]

@@leovolont Murphy’s law. Balloons don’t have to pop one by one. There could be a malfunction at the control unit that pops them all at once.

[@DANIEL-ls5ku]

1:40 one thing he may be forgetting is that Sherpas and Tibetans have EPAS1 genes that made them capable of breathing thin air.

[@Calakapepe]

5:40 The moment Dianna got COVID from David Blaine XD

[@mrtschulias5250]

I had the same thought. Also nobody is really trying to keep the necessary distance....

[@marcusm808]

Or it's the moment Dianna gave covid-19 to a 47-year-old man with a young daughter because she didn't wear a mask during the interview when his response (and therefore ability to see him speaking) was far more important than seeing her on video.

[@Calakapepe]

@@marcusm808 true also, as oddly specific as that was. I was only pointing it out the way I did because he blew a lot of breath out

[@catfishmedia9543]

I’ve been up to 13860ft in a small plane with no oxygen (for less then 30min per the fars) and I just started to feel weird I dropped to 10000ft and I was back to normal as soon as started descending

[@rbkstudios2923]

Well *This could actually revolutionize air travel*

[@Alexsp76]

Absolutely loved the surprise (for me) you were also involved physicsing about with "from another lane David" .. Ur presence there made me feel Blaine is more human than originally conceptualized. Keep it up girl !

[@bsjeffrey]

since it's magic, he probably never left the ground.

[@Metoobie]

Just discovering your channel now, but I love it! You rock! I never took any major courses in physics, but am fascinated by flight, laminar flow, thermodynamics, pressure and more! :)

[@sharkbeats1397]

Really cool! When the physics girl approves it, there's not much to add.

[@adamwishneusky]

Between David Blaine being David Blaine and inconsistent COVID mask and distancing precautions, I can’t handle this

[@adamwishneusky]

@@琥珀-u3o a non-renewable resource!!

[@expertbean101]

Dang I was really hoping to start a speed dating place 30,000 feet in the air

[@DANGJOS]

Not likely to go well. Probably shouldn't try it haha

[@lesliefranklin1870]

The hardest part would be the make-out sessions in the airliner lavatories.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

It'll be fine as long as you've got a pressurized cabin.

[@sundhaug92]

8:26: 2 million feet, while still in the atmosphere (sorta), is not only above the Armstrong line, and the Karman Line (meaning, it's space), it's higher up than the international space-station

[@zeikjt]

Now if only we could agree on where the Karman Line actually is... www.theverge.com/2018/12/13/18130973/space-karman-line-definition-boundary-atmosphere-astronauts

[@barretthenderson5808]

It was nerve racking when he was putting his parachute on for some reason...

[@hueyiroquois3839]

I used to know someone who thought that David Blaine could actually levitate, which proves that those people who say that you can teleport if you know enough about quantum mechanics are right.

[@rb032682]

¿huh?

[@danielbaker212]

This was really informative and interesting! Great job explanation of what is going on. Amazing job, as always!

[@Miglionicoschool]

In 2007 Ewa Wisnierska a German paraglider survived 30 minutes at an elevation of 9947 meters (thats 6 miles high!) with temperatures of -40 to -50 degrees. That's the cruising altitude of a jet! Higher than Mt. Everest! Without any supplemental oxygen and she rose at a speed of 77km or 48mph. Amazing story...and she had equipment on that recorded all the data from elevation, speed, velocity, temp, ect.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

It's just riding a regular helium-filled balloon in a basket but without the basket. Kind of a lame stunt.

[@matthewarchibald5118]

This guy held his breath underwater for 18 minutes. If anyone can go up that high, it’s him.

[@ghostbuddy3106]

David: I'm gooooing to tha DeaThZoNe Me: Bruh, pleeeease STaaaaAaaHp

[@1pho3nixmatt]

I was super excited - possibly more than I should have been - to see you that morning. You were brilliant! There was also a huge missed opportunity though not including Destin (of Smarter Every Day fame) in the ordeal, and his experience and subsequent video on hypoxia. It was a great choice too to have MKBHD host.

[@sooooooooDark]

9:40 air baloons with explosives attached yikes, i dont wanna fly that ship

[@rickruotolo5665]

The 'death zone' doesn't mean that you die when you get there. It means that the body will continue to deteriorate because there isn't enough O2 for cells to work properly (movement becomes sluggish, thought becomes loopy, digestive system starts to shut down, etc). So if you STAY there you'll slowly die, but not as soon as you cross the 26K' line. Some sherpas (they naturally have higher hemoglobin levels, more efficient mitochondria, and better genetics than we do) have been known to stay up there for a few days, but that's rare.

[@StevinSto]

You make me want to be a physicist. I love your passion for physics 💕. It's contagious.

[@altxyz]

What a waste of the precious helium. :(

[@ivan-Croatian]

"It is safe to say that no one is getting up to 2 million feet in a cluster of baloons" David Blane: "Hold my baloon!"

[@thatoneguy8894]

Top comment!

[@ssshhh_4238]

'Hold my breath'

[@blindleader42]

Something something ISS.

[@1dgram]

The ISS orbits at 1.3 million feet, so yeah, there's effectively zero atmosphere at 2 million.. just a bit of drag due to helium molecules.

[@FreemanPresson]

The balloons burst at around 100,000 feet, more or less the edge of space. The L5 Society was so educational 😏

[@MonkeyJedi99]

I saw the Mythbusters' build team using balloons to try and fly a small girl, and they used a LOT more balloons than that. Though they were using party balloons, so perhaps the weight of more balloons was a factor?

[@ronj8000]

Blaine is such a liar I can even listen to this whole video

[@pbp6741]

Illusionist.

[@scyz2807]

This is interesting to me because I am a hang glider pilot and have flown in Telluride, Colorado. The valley there is at around 8'900 feet ASL and the launch area at the top of the (typically snow skiing) mountain is 12,200 feet ASL. If you are healthy and have good oxygen absorption, then flying up to 16,000 feet ASL was no big deal. Not for most of us, at least. However, on one occasion I climbed out to 20,000 feet ASL. My medium quality analog hiking altimeter was not properly "pressure compensated" so I thought I was at only 17,999 feet ASL. 17,999 is how high a hang glider can go, legally, in the US. It just happened that a friend, who had the very best equipment (in this case altimeter), later told me that when we flew by each other (about 20 minutes earlier) that we were very close to 18,000 feet. My altimeter told me I was at around 16,000 feet so I kept climbing - for about another 2,000 feet. Once I got to, what I thought was close to 18,000 feet, I wanted to test myself for hypoxia. I started by seeing if I could remember the words to a favorite song. I could, but then I remembered that some people who had strokes could sing but not talk, so was that the best test? I then decided to simply count down from 10 to 1. I did it very quickly the first time - because I missed a couple numbers! I did it a second time and noticed skipping a number. The third time I went slow and remembered all the numbers, but I also knew that I was suffering from hypoxia. I proceeded to do a steep banked spiral dive for about 4-5 minutes bringing me down maybe 3,000 feet. I felt better there and ended up having a nice landing a while later. Once on the ground I asked that friend of mine how high we were when we crossed paths in the sky and he told me we were close to 18,000 feet ASL. That's when I realized why I had the symptoms I had and also to not trust my mediocre analog hiking altimeter with HIGH altitude readings! One fellow who I was familiar with didn't go anywhere near as high but ended up still being hypoxic during landing. He thought he was touching down when he was 30 feet high. He came down hard and was knocked unconscious. Luckily he didn't break any bones. BTW - This pilot was VERY experienced and well thought of. But thin air can really mess you UP!

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

I enjoyed watching this video. Nice job. I hope you have a hopeful Monday, Dianna!!! ❤️🙏🏻

[@tibebeselasiemehari7503]

I WAS HERE! and I learned the physics of magic (and enjoyed)

[@scottthomas6202]

It seems to me I remember reading of high altitude bombers during World War 2 where pressure in the cabin was lost, and the crew surviving at 30,000 or so feet, as well as maintaining control of the plane...

[@RedRocket4000]

Only sort of they had to drop as fast as possible, they might have had supplemental oxygen like airline pilots. Ghost planes flying on auto have occurred when pressure lost at that hight the planes fly till fuel run out the crew long dead.

[@Beakerzor]

where was everyone's mask? was this before the pandemic? i'm so confused

[@1.40am]

Chill

[@ItsGroundhogDay]

Few places mandate masks outdoors. The science is murky at best indoors.

[@sdspivey]

No one needs a mask. Grow up and stop being scared.

[@Beakerzor]

@@sdspivey not scared, but if I catch it, there's a 1 in 10 chance someone in my home will die, its just science, don't be afraid, just wear a mask like a grown up

[@Beakerzor]

@@ItsGroundhogDay the science is clear: it kills. period. That's all you need to know to simply wear a mask, it's literally the bare minimum people can do to stop killing each other, just be safe. Even if it was just a basic flu, just wear a mask, it's simple politeness. Stop falling for the media hype and counter-hype and be safe. We can all debate the historic data (assuming we're all here in 5 years to debate it)

[@prateekkarn9277]

9:10 Diana: crew was in 100 degree weather Me: panik Also me: she's speaking amerikan Me: kalm

[@KartikayKaul]

You can spot the "evening star" Venus right besides the moon at 2:33

[@livintolearn7053]

That's Mars, not Venus.

[@Echo5Mike]

Really cool video. Although the pressure at an altitude of 2 million feet would be near 29.6 in Hg vacuum, the temperatures would exceed 250°F on the sun side and minus 250°F on the shade side, which is super cool and totally hot at the same time, inverse respectively.

[@RedRocket4000]

Oh the fun of being in low Earth orbit or higher you can roast and freeze at the same time.

[@robst247]

WTF moment: 2:18 "Because he won't be wearing it [his parachute] as he's ascending." So where TF is he going to get it from? Thin air? [I haven't watched further yet.]

[@mute8s]

It was up within the balloon cluster. I'll leave the reasons why he did it the way he did it out so you go watch the video. 😉

[@kevinmerendino761]

Thats the magic.. Stork drop off!!!

[@DavidJJJ]

He didn’t wear it because he said it looked better going up without it aesthetically so they put it into a pouch thing that he could get to when he was high enough to use it. Looking at how tight it needed to be it would have been kind of annoying but yeah. It did add a little suspense when he was however many thousands of ft in the air and trying to put on a parachute!

[@mute8s]

@@DavidJJJ I bet you're the kind of guy who talks loudly about the end of a movie when walking past the line of others waiting to go in. Don't you know that there are a lot of people who don't like spoilers.

[@stevenutter3614]

@@mute8s If you don't like spoilers don't go perusing the comments section then dunce.

[@gringadoor5385]

I wasn't there. Nothing was missed.

[@rall860331]

I'm a minute in, and wondering why they're not wearing face masks...

[@ambulocetusnatans]

Somebody told me it's 6 times colder outside of a plane, but I'm outside of a plane now and I'm not cold at all.

[@boreduser12]

I wish David would redo it but this time when there are clouds so that he would go through clouds.

[@SoulDelSol]

It's just fog. You wouldn't be able to see him or view well

[@lowstringc]

That’s not actually legal...

[@boreduser12]

@@lowstringc in the US.

[@lowstringc]

Revolve! - ah, you may be right!

[@boreduser12]

Magic = Technology and human ingenuity.

[@JohnGrahambeehive]

Dianne excellent video, clean clear facts! David could take a leaf out of your modest book!!😉

[@blipco5]

When he goes up in an aluminum lounge chair with nothing but a bee bee gun I'll be impressed.

[@xavierlebeuf3061]

Feets, fahrenheits, pounds, i didn't understand anything! please use the international system...

[@Mede_N]

... it would be enough to provide the International system values as a text popup in your videos... (Just remember, that basically everyone else on the earth uses the international system...)

[@xavierlebeuf3061]

@@Mede_N We got km sometimes, but it would be appreciated if all units were converted yeah

[@Mede_N]

@@xavierlebeuf3061 yes, indeed. But at way too few places... I checked the video: for four given measurements, (roughly) only one is provided in international units...

[@supremepartydude]

This is not a novel idea. In 1982 a fellow in southern Cal strapped balloons to a lawn chair and flew into power lines but lived.

[@casparvoncampenhausen5249]

You seem to have added one zero to many at 5:20

[@JazzFlop212]

She stole it from your “to”.

[@ahmednurali4156]

I am under clear trouble watching your videos a flashlight

[@gurayyuce1404]

"feet", really?? how about metric system?

[@Szobiz]

metric system? wdym??

[@RaymondRAYCE]

Communist

[@ivaluska]

I'm left feeling like I've been teased. All build, no payoff

[@liangliangxu7061]

Huffing computer duster can definitely up your tolerance for non-oxygenated air.

[@smartestworks1232]

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY MAM 🎉🎉🎉🙏 RESPECT from me!🔥🔥 Mam I had a question, could you please explain it. In normal circumstances, when we throw a ball at suppose 'v' velocity then the ball comes at us with '-v' velocity, that means, at a certain point the velocity of the ball is zero. Zero Velocity!! So if we apply this to REFLECTION of LIGHT! we can say the photon just before bouncing off the surface of the surface comes to a zero Velocity point as we see in the graph. So at that point photon is at rest and thus it is at massless situation? Anyway, mam happy teachers day, love and respect❤️🙏 from me.

[@stratoinc.5531]

hm...Good Question, @physics_girl please answer this question!!

[@Diogenes2077]

I would think that the temperature of the balloon is rather caused by the fact that the helium is stored in the bottles in liquid state.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Just send flatearthers & christians & other conservatives up there without a parachute. Why risk David Blaine's life?

[@bariller.gutola1386]

Correction. At 5:20. There is nothing like less oxygen in that thin air.0xygen levels is the same even at high altitude. Constant at 21percent . It's the pressure that drops, which makes it harder for air to rush into our lungs since our lungs will be at high pressure at upper altitude .

[@nmarbletoe8210]

the concentration is the same, but the density is lower

[@paintingstarss]

where's your mask when talking to him? you're way too close :(

[@acollette1234]

1862, a hot air balloon up to 37,000 feet. Wow. Seems like a video in itself omg.

[@FluidMatters]

Pretty sure it was hydrogen (because of the cost). At least that is what David Blaine said on GRE. For a physics channel this is an important mistake.

[@brauliochavez2231]

his breathing technique also sounds like the buffer system for when humans are in acidosis

[@thomaskn1012]

In the middle of the cluster of balloons will be a balloon filled with oxygen. There will be a small transparent fairly invisible tube that will wind down the cable holding the balloons together and go into Blaine's mouth. This is how Blaine also survived his other tricks where he needs oxygen.

[@jazzzWagon]

Great video! Pilot here so I want to point out that it's far more accurate when you refer to specific types of altitudes rather than just the altitude above mean sea level whether its pressure altitude, actual altitude(True Altitude) or density altitude. True altitude above sea level, in this case(and most cases), is of little importance since pressure changes all the time so TRUE altitude where you pass out and experience hypoxia(which is not mentioned in the video) and die is different on different days. it could be +- 500 ft or even up to 2000ft if you're in Siberia where they usually have high pressures. That means if you were to die at 25,000ft of True Altitude in Hawaii you'd die at 27,000ft of True Altitude in Siberia. If the pressures were even lower in Hawaii then the gap would be even higher. Not a lot of people seem to understand the concept of altitudes so would be good to see you put out something related to that!

[@pepelapew2724]

Never mind the balloons, it's a REAL fire place with logs I am impressed.

[@Fogmeister]

Hypoxia causes bad judgement and lack of attention... Ok... I think I suffer from permanent hypoxia.

[@JeskaDax]

I watched the live stream of the Ascension yesterday. It was awesome how much thought and teamwork went into the event.

[@sharky07xy]

All the precious helium lost forever 😥

[@pgantioch8362]

1. Sherpas have mutations, probably from neanderthals, that help them use oxygen more efficiently. 2. (Non-sherpa) people can climb Everest without supplemental oxygen if they go slowly, exercise at the right level & adapt. 3. Helium is a non-renewable resource. People shouldn’t be wasting it. This was fun, though.