American researcher smashes underwater living record, aims for 100-day milestone
An American professor has broken the record for the longest time living underwater without depressurization at the Florida Keys Lodge for scuba divers.
Joseph Dituri spent 74 days living in Jules’ Undersea Lodge, situated at the bottom of a 30-foot-deep lagoon.
He broke the record while residing under the sea to carry out research.
Taking to Twitter today, he shared his achievement, stating, “Today, I broke the world record for living underwater. The curiosity for discovery has led me here. From day one, my goal has been to inspire future generations, interview scientists who study life underwater, and learn how the human body functions in extreme environments.”
With the 74-day underwater living record under his belt, Dituri isn’t stopping there. He has set his sights on 100 days and plans to stay at the lodge until June 9 to achieve this milestone, as part of the underwater mission dubbed Project Neptune 100.
This mission combines medical and ocean research with educational outreach and is organized by the Marine Resources Development Foundation, the owner of the habitat.
Dituri, also known as “Dr. Deep Sea,” has been consuming protein-heavy meals consisting of eggs and salmon prepared using a microwave.
He engages in exercises with resistance bands, performs his daily exercise routine, and takes an hour-long nap underwater.
“The record is a small achievement, and I truly appreciate it,” said Dituri, an educator at the University of South Florida with a doctorate degree in biomedical engineering. “I’m honoured to have achieved it, but there is still more scientific work to be done.”
He added, “The idea here is to inhabit the world’s oceans, taking care of them by living in them and treating them with respect.” Dituri, a retired U.S. Naval officer, aims to conduct daily experiments in physiology to monitor how the human body responds to long-term exposure to extreme pressure.
While he enjoys living beneath the ocean’s surface, the one thing he misses is the sun.
The previous record of 73 days, two hours, and 34 minutes was set by two Tennessee professors, Bruce Cantrell and Jessica Fain, at the same location in 2014.
AP
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