Blade in the body and in the case: the story of the sword swallower Dan Meyer (6 photos)

Controversy continues about the art of sword swallowing, although all the secrets of this craft seem to have long been revealed. Some insist that the blade folds like a spyglass, others agree that swallowing does take place, but only with the use of special guide tube.





This technique is very ancient, and it was used even in times ancient Rome and Greece. But now true professionals in their field unit all over the world. And a small number of imitators. And not in vain sword swallowers before each performance warn the audience about the inadmissibility of attempts to independently repeat the trick.



Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer is a professional sword swallower from the USA who during his career he set several records and was included in Guinness Book of Records. According to his stories, he chose this direction because of banal desire to excel and to repulse the adult guys who bullied him at school.

Once a teenager saw the performance of a sword swallower on fair and got the idea to master this craft. Having received a certificate, a young man hard at work making his dream a reality. Even went to 1977 year to India to learn from local fakirs.



A couple of years later he returned home and began to perform as a juggler and fire absorber. Along the way, honing the skills of sword swallowing. In 2001 he made his first public appearance. And I realized that in addition to performances, you need give people information. After all, sword swallowing is not just a system, it is an art and a science that has its own laws. First you need learn to feel the epigastric cavity - the ultimate place to dive blades. Then you can start training with non-hazardous objects. AND only after having previously consolidated the skill on spoons, brushes and your own fingers, you can switch to melee weapons.



Dan took up to 15 swords to learn to swallow at once for five whole years. And now the “diet” of the record holder is striking in its diversity: on the show, he swallows different knives, sabers, daggers, broadswords. IN even corkscrews and garden shears go. And in Dan's piggy bank there is a trick with swallowing a red-hot sword and a whole bunch of swords.



Meyer founded and chaired the International Association sword swallowers. Only an applicant can become a member, demonstrated the ability to swallow a blade at least 40 cm. By the way, 82 cm is considered a record, but the sword swallower who set him, was a real giant with a height of 2.20.



Art some members of the association pass on to their descendants. And although Meyer is a real star, he does not get tired of repeating beginners that the risk of injury is very high. After all, the blade goes through close proximity to vital organs. And one wrong movement can be fatal.

Moreover, he himself received even at the peak of his career serious injuries, in particular, the esophagus. Despite extensive study topics (Dan winner of the 2007 Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine for studying side effects of sword swallowing).

Would you dare to try this trick?