Man attempts to break world record by living underwater for 100 days

A researcher from the United States is attempting to set a world record by living underwater for 100 days.

University of South Florida associate professor Joseph Dituri is studying how the human body responds to long-term exposure to extreme pressure.

While living nine meters below the surface in a nine-square-meter habitat at Jules' Undersea Lounge in Key Largo, the professor will continue teaching his biomedical engineering class online.

An on-site medical team will document the 55-year-old's health by routinely diving into his habitat to run a series of psychosocial, psychological, and medical tests. These include blood panels, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, and stem cell tests.

A psychologist and psychiatrist will also record the mental effects of being in an isolated and confined environment for an extended period, comparable to space travel.

“The human body has never been underwater that long, so I will be monitored closely. This study will examine every way this journey impacts my body, but my null hypothesis is that there will be improvements to my health due to the increased pressure. So, we suspect I am going to come out super-human!" Dituri said.

The 100-day mission would also cover other projects, including new technologies like an artificial intelligence tool that can screen a human body for illness and determine if medications are needed.

Other scientists will join Dituri to discuss ways to preserve, protect, and rejuvenate the marine environment.

“Everything we need to survive is here on the planet. I suspect the cure to many diseases can be found in undiscovered organisms in the ocean. To find out, we need more researchers," Dituri said.

A pair of Tennessee professors set the current world record of living underwater for 73 days in 2014. They also stayed at the same Jules’ Undersea Lodge.