Blimey what have I started ;-)
The reason feet don't burn when walking across coals is, as far as I'm aware, the same
as why your hand doesn't burn when you put it in the oven, unless you touch the sides.
I am of course talking about domestic ovens here! I know what you lot are like with your
ad hoc ovens
I had to google "fire walking oven" but here's an example:
http://www.davidgregory.org/fire_walk.htm
Though I think it's perfectly possible to get burned if the coals haven't produced enough
ash or aren't raked or something like that - people do get burned. I expect there's
also a bit of truth to the idea that if people believe they're going to get hurt then they
might be a bit more timid when crossing and more likely to falter. I don't think it's
entirely nonsensical that there's a bit of psyching yourself up going on but it can be
pretty easily explained by natural means as above. Sounds like quite an experience
though!
