The depths of the ocean have always fascinated humans, but few have dared to venture as far down as Joseph Dituri. The US professor has broken the world record for the longest solo underwater stay, spending a staggering 74 days in a capsule 9m below the surface.
Dituri, a former US Navy commander and current associate professor at South Florida University, has been conducting research as part of the “Project Neptune 100” study. The study aims to investigate how the human body reacts to prolonged exposure to extreme pressure, which could provide valuable information for future space exploration missions.
Living in a capsule approximately 9m2 in size, Dituri’s accommodations consist of a bed, desk, and toilet. The capsule also features a large window that allows him to view the underwater world around him, but unlike a submarine, there is no pressure control device.
Despite the cramped living quarters and isolation from the outside world, Dituri has managed to stay busy during his time underwater. He has been cooking protein-rich foods like eggs and salmon in a microwave, doing daily exercise routines like push-ups, and even teaching an online biomedical class to over 2,500 university students.
Medical professionals have been monitoring Dituri’s mental and physical health throughout his stay, regularly checking in on him to ensure he is doing well. The professor has expressed that he is happy to have broken the previous record of 73 days, set by two other professors at the same location in 2014, but he is not content to stop there. Dituri plans to continue his underwater stay for a total of 100 days.
In an interview with Reuters, Dituri said, “I’m happy to have broken the record, but there is still so much more scientific research that needs to be done.” He also expressed his longing for the sun and the desire to see the sunrise, despite his incredible achievement.
Dituri’s incredible feat serves as a testament to human endurance and the spirit of exploration. As we continue to learn more about the ocean and outer space, his research could prove invaluable in paving the way for future scientific discoveries.
