To respond to a bit of this - First of all, the record is measured from the ground. I know this isn't ideal, and I am certainly aware of the difference in record height depending on the height of the performer, but in attempting to break an existing record for Guinness, I am forced to follow the conditions of the record set previously. For Guinness, the conditions under which the original record is established are the conditions under which all other record attempts must be attempted. The original record and all other record attempts have been measured from the ground.
I believe the original record was something over three metres, then Bob set the record at 4.1 metres, which I later broke to set the current record at 5.4 metres. All of these records were measured from the ground as that is part of the conditions of this record. These conditions were set long before I ever made an attempt on the record.
As far as safety goes, obviously it is regrettable that I caught fire, but it certainly highlights the ever present danger that is a part of
Fire Breathing. This is actually the first time I'm ever had an item of clothing catch alight. Safety was not completely disregarded as PK has suggested. The host (in the suit) was prepped in spotting prior to the attempt. There was a second spotter on the other side of the set about 3 metres from me equipped with a fire blanket, as well as a studio fire warden with an extinguisher a little further off stage with two ambulance officers. The floor was mopped after the initial introduction performance and again between each of the attempts. I was wearing triple layered cotton clothing and was covered in barrier cream on my face, neck and entire upper body. I had consumed milk, bread and activated charcoal capsules before and after the show as well as several other bits and pieces as part of my personal safely regime. I was using a fuel with a flashpoint of 41 degrees celsius and had copies of the MSDS on site.
As I said it's not ideal that there was an incident, but if you mix fuel and fire there is always the chance that something like that will happen. It is because of the various safety measures in place that no-one was hurt and the incident was minimised.
.draevon
Androgen Fire Art