When Nik Wallenda steps out onto a cable Friday he will carry with him the hopes (and prayers) of daredevil enthusiast from around the world.

Television network ABC has requested that the 33-year-old wear a tether when he walks the 550-metre cable from the United States to the Canadian side of the falls, which he admits makes him very nervous. “I know that sounds crazy, but it makes me nervous because you have to understand, I’ve trained a little bit for the last week in one — never in my life have I worn a tether (during a stunt) so it’s just an added thing on my mind.”

Watch Wallenda walk the tightrope live here.

The tether will be attached to Wallenda and the wire, trailing behind him as he crosses the 550-metre cable from the United States to the Canadian side of the falls. It won’t keep him from falling off the wire, but it will keep him from falling into the churning and deadly water below.

The event, broadcast live on ABC, with CTV carrying it in Canada will begin at 9 p.m. ET, with Wallenda set to walk at about 10:20 p.m. ET.

The American broadcaster is partly funding Wallenda’s walk, which Wallenda estimates to cost up to $1.3 million with fabrication and installation of the custom-made steel wire, permits and security on both sides of the border, travel and marketing.

With files from The Canadian Press