University professor Dr. Joseph Dituri, often known as “Dr. Deep,” returned to the surface on Friday after an incredible 100 days spent submerged. This was the first time since March 1 that he had lifted his face to the sun. The lecturer from the University of South Florida accomplished a fantastic feat by breaking the previous record for the longest period of time without the need for depressurization. Dr. Deep resided in Jules’ Undersea Lodge, a scuba diving resort in the Florida Keys, throughout this incredible project.
Dituri, a diving researcher, and explorer, broke the previous record of 73 days, two hours, and 34 minutes
In a Key Largo lagoon, the resort is sunk 30 feet (9.14 meters) beneath the water’s surface. Dituri, a diving researcher, and explorer, broke the previous record of 73 days, two hours, and 34 minutes set by two professors from Tennessee in 2014, who also lived in the same lodge. Dituri’s primary goal in staying underwater, which gave him the moniker “Dr. Deep Sea,” was not to set any records, but rather to test the boundaries of human endurance in a confined and isolating underwater environment.
“It was never about the record,” said the professor as per ABC News. “It was about extending human tolerance for the underwater world and an isolated, confined, extreme environment,” he added. After finishing his 74th day underwater last month, Dituri, a former US Naval officer with a doctorate in biomedical engineering, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the new record holder on their website. The company that runs the resort, the Marine Resources Development Foundation, is now preparing to ask Guinness to formally validate Dituri’s remarkable feat of 100 days.
Project Neptune 100 required Dr. Deep to take on a risky task
Project Neptune 100 required Dr. Deep to take on a risky task. The Marine Resources Development Foundation coordinated the project. In order for its occupants to survive underwater, a submarine uses technology to maintain pressure that is close to that of the surface. However, the interior of the lodge was created to accommodate the greater pressure present underwater. The goal of Project Neptune 100 was to learn as much as possible about how the body and mind react to extended exposure to high pressure and a solitary setting.
According to ABC News, the knowledge obtained from this effort could help astronauts and ocean researchers who are starting long-term missions in the future. Dituri conducted daily experiments and measurements throughout his 100-day underwater journey to track his body’s reaction to the escalating pressure. Additionally, he hosted over 60 visitors to the underwater habitat, participated in online dialogues with thousands of students from 12 different nations, and taught a course for the University of South Florida. Project Neptune 100 research findings will be presented at the World Extreme Medicine Conference in Scotland in November.