Over the weekend, a professor from the United States eclipsed the record for the longest period of surviving underwater without depressurization at a scuba diving resort in the Florida Keys.
Dr. Joseph Dituri, popularly known as "Dr. Deep Sea," has been dwelling at Jules' Undersea Lodge since March 1. On his 74th day, he carried out his regular daily activities, which included a protein-rich supper of eggs and salmon, strength band workouts, pushups, and an hour-long snooze, per Daily Mail.
His 100-square-foot pod lies 30 feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. It does not employ technology to adapt to the higher underwater pressure, unlike submarines.
Two academics from Tennessee, Bruce Cantrell and Jessica Fain, who remained in the same place in 2014, previously held the record with a stay of 73 days, two hours, and 34 minutes.
Dr. Dituri, a former US Navy officer with a degree in biomedical engineering, doesn't feel pleased with just breaking the record. He intends to stay down until June 9, when he hits 100 days, as part of an underwater exploration named Project Neptune 100.
The Marine Resources Development Foundation's objective mixes ocean and medical research with community outreach and education.
Press Release: April 1, 2023
Mutations Discovered by Researcher Living Underwater
Dr. Joseph Dituri, the aquanaut researcher living underwater for 100 days revealed the development of “pre-gills” on his neck and webbing between his fingers," says his doctor
~Dr. Patrick Duffy pic.twitter.com/RlM4gBGu4F— Joseph Dituri, Ph.D. (@drdeepsea) April 1, 2023
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Dr. Deep Sea's Mission is Not Yet Done
Dr. Dituri acknowledged the accomplishment but expressed that setting a new record is "a minor bump." Though thankful for the achievement, he noted that there "still have more science to do," Al Jazeera reported.
Since he started his underwater stay, Dr. Dituri has been updating his followers on his life underwater through his social media channels, including his YouTube channel, according to The Straits Times.
Dr. Deep Sea gives a tour of his environment and demonstrates how his friends and relatives visit him while donning scuba diving gear. Moreover, his medical professionals make home visits.
Dr. Joseph Dituri also teaches biomedical engineering courses online at the University of South Florida, per the Florida Keys News Bureau. He misses the sun, though, and says it has been a significant part of his life.
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