Ice man cometh to set world record

In this story: Pants, boots and a knit cap Risking hypothermia, frostbite RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

NEW YORK -- A shivering magician is the latest sight to see in New York City's Times Square, where David Blaine has encased himself in a six-ton block of ice in which he will attempt to survive for 58 hours.

"It's pretty crazy," said Amy Weir, a tourist from Louisiana. The sentiment was echoed by John Fredericks of New York, who said, "seems to me it's kind of nutty, but I guess it is what he feels like doing."

	VIDEO
Illusionist David Blaine freezes himself in a block of ice in Times Square Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The world record for ice encasement is 57 minutes. But that individual set the record lying down, and Blaine, who is standing upright inside a hollow space in the ice, is determined to set a new record by a wide time margin.

Pants, boots and a knit cap

Blaine is attempting to do it inside an 8-foot by 6-foot by 6-foot block of 30-degree ice on the corner of 44th Street and Broadway. The ice has Blaine's contour carved into the middle, allowing for space between his body and the ice. He's wearing only pants, boots and a knit cap, with his upper body merely smeared with a layer of Vaseline.

"This is by far the most painful thing I am ever going to go through physically, much more difficult than the buried alive," said Blaine, 27, who lives in Brooklyn.

Last year, Blaine spent seven days lying in a glass-topped box that was lowered into the ground. Visitors filed by at all hours of the day and night to see Blaine, who lived on a limited supply of water.

Blaine prepares to be encased in the six-ton block of ice

"I have nothing to lean against," Blaine said of the ice enclosure. "I can't sit, I can't move."

Blaine trained for the stunt by immersing himself in tubs of ice. "If I have an itch, I can't scratch myself. ... If I fall asleep, my face presses into the ice. It is a real danger."

Risking hypothermia, frostbite

Contact with the ice could cause irreparable damage to his skin. Doctors say hypothermia, frostbite and muscle spasms are just a few of the potential hazards. A medical staff is on call 24 hours a day. Blaine has fasted for four days to limit his elimination. To urinate, he'll use a catheter that runs down his pant leg.

Blaine seemed calm and collected as two halves of the ice block were sealed Monday. His girlfriend, model/actress Josie Maran, did not seem as relaxed, however. The magic man will be freed from the deep freeze Wednesday night during a live TV broadcast.

CNN Showbiz Today Correspondent Jodi Ross and Reuters contributed to this report.

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