In both 2004 and 2005 David Merlini’s live TV shows broke all current ratings records. Some more of his successful and daring escapes include; being welded in a steel perforated box, after being chained and padlocked. The box was then lowered into the Danube; he freed himself within 3 minutes. Later in 2000 David was strapped in a special underwater straitjacket with his ankles secured by handcuffs, padlocks and massive lead weights. He jumps into the huge transparent tank of water along with six tiger sharks; it only took him 2:30 minutes to free himself.