Tilt at radio record may come with side-effects
Three Auckland disc jockeys plan to stay awake for six days straight to ‘‘smash’’ the Guinness World Record for the longest team radio show – but health experts say they are risking their health.
Wayne Browning and Steve Johnson, from V3FM, and Darren Masters, from Panmure FM, aim to go live non-stop from Pukekohe at 7am on March 1 until 7am on March 7 to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation.
The record for longest marathon for a radio show DJ team is four days and was set in May 2018 by Radio Gilli in Dubai.
‘‘That’s nothing,’’ Browning said. ‘‘If Dubai can do four days, us little old honkies down under, we can do six.’’
But there are health risks – two of the three are on blood pressure medication and they will use a portable monitor to regularly check their blood pressure.
Dr Alex Bartle, clinical director from the Sleep Well Clinic, has concerns.
‘‘It’s absolutely crazy. I don’t think this is safe,’’ Bartle said.
‘‘The longer they go without sleep the higher the chance of complications, such as cardiovascular episodes.’’
He said as the days ticked by, their minds would begin to deteriorate. ‘‘After 24 hours the effects will be noticeable, the equivalent of being drunk.
‘‘At a certain point, they will start experiencing disordered thinking, perhaps paranoia, delusions.’’ And while coffee would help them stay awake it would also add to the health risks.
‘‘If these gentlemen have issues with blood pressure, stimulants can exacerbate that.’’
But the group said they were determined to go ahead despite the risks.The trio are keen to interview members from local community groups during the event to both raise awareness and help keep them awake.