A Florida professor set a new world record after living underwater for 74 days.
And it plans to stay down for several more weeks.
Joseph Dituri, an associate professor at the University of South Florida known as “Dr. Deep Sea,” has lived in an underwater habitat of 100 square feet in Key Largo in the Keys since March 1 while studying “how the human body responds to long-term exposure to pressure,” the school said Monday.
Dituri has been spending her downtime eating protein-rich foods, exercising with resistance bands and taking naps.
He plans to stay at the hostel for a total of 100 days.
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Dituri, a doctor of biomedical engineering and retired U.S. Navy officer, said the results of his research can be used for space travel to see how the human body reacts mentally and physically to a confined, oxygen-rich environment .
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“It takes 200 days to travel to Mars,” Dituri said. “Our astronauts will have to travel in an environment similar to the one I’m in now: the limited area will limit their food options, how far they can see and how they can exercise. They will experience muscle loss, bone loss and vision problems.
“This research could help us better prepare our astronauts to ensure they arrive healthy and strong enough to explore the planet.”
There could also be other applications, such as treating brain injuries.
Bruce Cantrell and Jessica Fain, two teachers from Tennessee, already set the record after living in the same habitat for 73 days, two hours and 34 minutes in 2014.
“It’s not really about the puck,” Dituri said. “If we can get people excited about science, that would be a huge success for me!”
With News Wire Services
