100% unfounded by stats or research but used to party with this semi-regional circus from my home town and its not a real sword theyre swallowing. From about 3-4 feet away its noticeable but you gotta look closely. The most dangerous part is getting caught by your friends training away your gag reflex lol. The sword isnt sharp or pointy in the slightest, they can be either hollow or such a light material/metal that they flex like a mofo. And, this is what the dudes like stage punchline was, its really hard to choke on something anyone can easily pull out.

So hear me out kids, next time you’re thinking of swallowing golfballs or tide pods, take the safer route and swallow a sword!

P.S. To answer you subsequent risk management research, DO NOT TRY TO SPIT FIRE! YOU WILL BURN TO DEATH WHILE CHOKING!