WHAT IT IS The signature move of many an escapologist
WHY YOU WON’T DO IT Although eminently doable, the risks involved in failure are not worth contemplating
A straitjacket has extra long sleeves (with no holes for the hands) that are either tied or buckled behind the wearer’s back so that they are not able to move their arms, which are crossed over the chest. The renowned escapologist Harry Houdini is credited with introducing the idea of a straitjacket escape act to the world – so how can you imitate the great man?
Houdini put out word that his escapes relied on an ability to dislocate his shoulders, but this claim was probably designed to impress his audience or frighten off his competitors. Happily, escape is possible without going to such extremes: technical know-how, brute force and practice are all you need.
The key to success lies in your posture as the jacket is put on (ideally by an assistant). You need to create space to work in later, so puff up your chest while the jacket is bound – when you exhale this will give you a little more wiggle-room. Keep your elbows at your sides as firmly as you can, so your arms are not folded too tightly. Make sure your dominant hand is across your other arm, either grasping the opposite bicep or tucked in at the elbow. If possible, grab a bit of fabric in each hand as you are being bound – you can later release this to gain still more working space.
Once bound, keep calm – succumbing to panic is a sure way to fail. Instead, shrug your shoulders as far forward as possible (but not to the point of dislocation), so that the back of the jacket gives a little. Your first goal is to move your arms until you can lift one over your head. Use your dominant hand to force your opposite elbow up, perhaps leaning against a fixed object for extra leverage or, alternatively, bending down on one knee and working against the other. Keep exerting force until you can duck your head under one arm – strong neck muscles will help!
With your arms now in front of you, use your teeth to undo the strap between the sleeves, and once your hands are relatively free (though still trapped in the sleeves), undo the straps at your back and neck. Hey presto, the jacket is off!
If the escape does not go according to plan, admit defeat and get help – if you stay in the jacket for too long you can cause yourself serious damage through lack of blood flow and muscle cramping. And once you have perfected the trick, why not try to emulate Houdini further still by performing the act while suspended upside down in the air?