I fully understand the Leidenfrost effect - I think its why you lick your finger before testing the side of your iron
I have been thinking about Lyndon and Katie on the dam. One might suggest that Katie had a moral obligation to not let Lyndon expose himself to mortal risk - indeed I think one has a legal obligation to not allow another person to needlessly expose themsleves to mortal risks in some venues.
Which brings up an experience I, and a friend had, while photographing at Alstrom Point on Lake Powell about a decade ago.
Alstrom Point is an exposed cliff on Lake Powell, about 800+ feet above a solid rock base, with no rails or warning signs, and exposed to fairly significant wind gusts at times.
My friend and I stopped by Alstrom Point in mid afternoon, carefully placed our tripods about a foot back from the sharp drop off of the cliff edge, and were photographing the water of Lake Powell and the clouds over lying it. Images can be seen here
A German tourist parked his auto about 200 yards from the edge of the cliff, left his wife and todler in the car. I heard him speaking to them in German - but my high school German proficiency is limited to ja, nein, and Frohliche Weinachten.
He then promptly proceeded to the cliff's very edge, stood on one leg, and extended his other leg forward into open space about 2 feet beyond the cliff edge, and maintained that position for about 20 or 30 seconds - It seemed like forever. He then stood back a moment, and repeated this process, standing on the other leg on the very edge of the cliff with his toes beyond the edge and the other foot in the open air in front of him. Again, he held this postion for 20 or 30 seconds.
I was astounded, terrified, and not exactly certain what my obligations were. I told my friend quietly that I hoped this would work out well, or we were going to be involved with a great deal of paper work and questions about why we didn't stop this.
The tourist made a third pass at the cliffs edge, again balancing on one foot with the other extended beyond the edge of the cliff, for 15-30 seconds - it seemed like forever. Stepped back from the cliff's edge, walked back to his car, with his spouse and child, and drove off never to be seen again by me. I wonder to this day what ever possessed him to behave so recklessly. Maybe he had greater faith than I in the multi-verse. He never spoke a word to me or my friend the whole time.