Man resurfaces after setting record of living underwater for 100 days
After spending over three months underwater, Dr. Joseph Dituri has returned to land to share his new learnings and discoveries about the human body.
Also known as Dr. Deep Sea, Dr. Dituri from the University of South Florida resurfaced on Friday, June 9, completing his research dubbed “Project Neptune 100,” which aims to study “how the human body responds to long-term exposure to pressure” living in an underwater habitat.During the duration of the research, Dituri lived 22 feet below the surface at Jules’ Undersea Lodge—the only underwater hotel in the United States—since March 1.
“Being above water for the first time in 100 days, I feel the warmth of the sun, and I feel grateful,” he said.
During the project, Dimitri shared with Guinness World Records that he accommodated two to three interviews per day, and meditates or write s in his journal whenever he feels lonely. He would also have occasional visitors in his underwater pad, where he saw about 50 people.
“The human body has never been underwater that long,” Dituri added, breaking the world record of living underwater for 73 days.
“This experience has changed me in an important way, and my greatest hope is that I have inspired a new generation of explorers and researchers to push past all boundaries.”
A retired U.S. Navy Diving Officer and aquanaut, 55-year-old Dimitri shared that the research also aims to treat a broad spectrum of illnesses, like traumatic brain injuries, anchoring to the hypothesis: “Increased pressure has the potential to help humans live longer and prevent diseases associated with aging.”
Since he reemerged from underwater, Dimitri noticed that he had "shrunk" half-inch in height, assuming that it was due to the prolonged exposure and increased pressure. His underwater home had an atmospheric pressure of 70% higher than at the surface.
He also discovered in his preliminary findings that there is a “significant improvement to his sleep, cholesterol levels and inflammation,” as stated in the news release.
He also stressed his delight in being able to raise awareness and educate students about the marine environment.
“The most gratifying part about this is the interaction with almost 5,000 students, and having them care about preserving, protecting, and rejuvenating our marine environment,” he said.