Doctors are reportedly concerned about Blaine's skin, among many other things. Blaine's been complaining of itching all over his body, and physicians have noted some bumps here and there, just under the skin.

Halfway through, roughly speaking. The world around David Blaine has become a micro-economy of artistic, commercial, engineering, security, medical, and aquatics safety interests competing for space and priority while pursuing a common goal, reports DeeperBlue.net

This whole thing could easily go south in a heartbeat, even though the massed competence of the support people is formidable indeed. Blaine has everything he needs on hand to carry him through.

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The world record for breath-holding is eight minutes and 58 seconds; Houdini's own record for the stunt was three minutes.

The fuss surrounding Blaine's attempt was accompanied by dire warnings from medical advisers.

KNIGHT RIDDER reports that Dr. Murat Gunel, chief of neurosurgery at Yale University, said Blaine will be at "significant risk of irreversible brain damage while he holds his breath ... He's going against all the best medical advice - I guess that's what he does," said Gunel, part of a 24-man team monitoring the magician.

The weeklong prelude is meant to weaken Blaine's system, making the finale that much more impressive. But not to worry - Blaine promises he'll leave TV audiences breathless Monday when his air source is cut off after breathing pure oxygen and then spending eight or nine minutes trying to escape 150 pounds of metal chains. 

Blaine's previous stunts include being buried alive in a glass coffin, standing on a pillar in Bryant Park for 35 hours, being frozen in a closet of ice in Times Square and being suspended over the River Thames in London for 44 days.

Before his latest quest for Houdini-esque immortality airs live on ABC Monday in "David Blaine: Drowned Alive."

-- Compiled from wire reports