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How I held my breath for 17 minutes

29,013,652 views | David Blaine • TEDMED 2009

In this highly personal talk from TEDMED, magician and stuntman David Blaine describes what it took to hold his breath underwater for 17 minutes -- a world record (only two minutes shorter than this entire talk!) -- and what his often death-defying work means to him. Warning: do NOT try this at home.

In this highly personal talk from TEDMED, magician and stuntman David Blaine describes what it took to hold his breath underwater for 17 minutes -- a world record (only two minutes shorter than this entire talk!) -- and what his often death-defying work means to him. Warning: do NOT try this at home.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

David Blaine

Illusionist, endurance artist

See speaker profile

With a deck of cards and authoritative cool, David Blaine brings the wonderment of magic off the stage and onto the sidewalk.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.