Escapologists ( also called escape artists ) escape from handcuffs , straitjackets , cages , steel boxes , barrels , bags , burning buildings , fish-tanks and other such traps , usually doing more than one of these at once . Escapologists ( also called escape artists ) escape from handcuffs , straitjackets , cages , coffins , steel boxes , barrels , bags , burning buildings , fish-tanks and other perils , often in combination .