After 100 days, Florida scientist ‘Dr Deep Sea' resurfaces after breaking record for living underwater
An associate university professor in Florida has completed his research mission and set a new world record in the process: living 100 days beneath the ocean's surface.
CNN
A Florida associate professor has finished his research and achieved a world record by living for 100 days below the surface of the ocean.
Dr. Joseph Dituri experienced the sun for the first since March 1, when he retreated to a subaquatic complex 22 feet beneath the waters of Key Largo in Florida.
Dituri, 55 years old, is a biomedical engineering professor at the University of South Florida. He calls himself "Dr. Deep Sea' spent a little over three months in Jules' Undersea Lodge at the bottom Emerald Lagoon, the only underwater lodge in the United States.
According to Dituri, the Marine Resources Development Foundation in Key Largo organized the research project Project Neptune 100. It focused on ocean conservation and the study of how compression affects human bodies.
The US Navy veteran has already noticed a change: the water pressure appears to have reduced his height by half an inch. Dituri was 6 feet 1 inch before he began his mission. The University of South Florida said in a press release.
According to the release, the scientist started the project by forming a hypothesis: increased pressure can help humans live longer while preventing aging-related illnesses. Dituri hopes that his underwater research can help treat a wide range of illnesses, such as traumatic brain injury, according to a release.
Dituri used the project to educate youth.
Dituri said to Guinness World Records in June that he had intended to interact with thousands of students to encourage them to become interested in math, science, technology and engineering.
According to the University of South Florida, while underwater, he taught his college students virtually.
Dituri, who began his project on May 13, broke the Guinness World Record of longest time spent living underwater.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous record was 73 days and two hours, 34 minutes. It was set at exactly the same place as Dituri's successful try.
Dituri was greeted by friends, family, fans of the 100-day adventure, and a medical staff on Friday, as he broke through the surface of the water after 14 weeks under. This is according to a University of South Florida press release.
Dr. Joseph Dituri looks at his watch in June 2023 and indicates that it's time to emerge.
Dituri stated in a news release that 'the human body had never been under water for so long'. This experience has changed my life in a significant way. My greatest hope is to inspire a new generation explorers and scientists to push beyond all boundaries.