A Florida university professor has achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the world record for the longest time living underwater, and he has no plans of ending his subaquatic lifestyle just yet, as he shared on Twitter.
Joseph Dituri, residing at Jules’ Undersea Lodge, marked his 74th day underwater on Saturday, surpassing the previous record of 73 days set by two other professors in 2014. Dituri has set his sights on reaching 100 days underwater.
Expressing his motivation, he tweeted early on Sunday, “The curiosity for discovery has led me here. My goal from day 1 has been to inspire generations to come, interview scientists who study life undersea, and learn how the human body functions in extreme environments.”
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Jules’ Undersea Lodge is situated at the bottom of a 30-foot lagoon in Key Largo, Florida. During his extended stay, Dituri has been conducting research on how the human body responds to prolonged periods of living under extreme pressure. Remarkably, he has also been teaching his biomedical engineering class online while submerged, as reported by the University of South Florida (USF).
Underwater explorer and medical researcher Joseph Dituri, inside the Jules’ Undersea Lodge, in a Key Largo lagoon, Florida.
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Diving explorer and medical researcher Dr. Joseph Dituri waves to scuba diver Thane Milhoan inside the Jules’ Undersea Lodge, in a Key Largo lagoon, Florida Keys, Florida, U.S., May 13, 2023.
Dituri’s underwater mission, named Project Neptune 100, was organized by the Marine Resources Development Foundation. The project utilizes the unique underwater setting to raise awareness about marine research and conservation efforts, with a focus on studying the impact of compression on the body.
Having served in the Navy for nearly three decades and leaving to delve deeper into traumatic brain injuries, Dituri hypothesizes that his health will improve due to the increased pressure underwater.
A medical team regularly dives to Jules’ Undersea Lodge to conduct tests on Dituri, according to USF. He has undergone a series of psychosocial, psychological, and medical examinations, including blood panels, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, and stem cell tests. Additionally, a psychologist and psychiatrist are documenting the mental effects of prolonged isolation and confinement.
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The professor plans to resurface on June 9, but until then, he keeps himself occupied. Dituri starts his day at 5 a.m. with exercise, as reported by the Florida Keys News Bureau. His protein-rich meals underwater include eggs and salmon, and he has access to a microwave.
Dituri has not been entirely alone underwater. Over the past 74 days, more than 30 adults and 15 middle and high school students have also spent time at the undersea lodge, according to the Florida Keys News Bureau.
While Dituri has relished his life under the ocean, there is one thing in particular that he deeply misses. “The thing that I miss the most about being on the surface is literally the sun,” Dituri shared with the Florida Keys News Bureau.
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