Joseph Dituri, popularly known as "Dr. Deep Sea," has spent a remarkable 74 days residing in an underwater lodge and intends to extend his stay until June, reaching an impressive milestone of 100 days.
Joseph Dituri, a respected 55-year-old biomedical engineering professor at the University of South Florida and a former U.S. Navy veteran, has achieved an extraordinary feat by spending a groundbreaking 74 days residing in an underwater lodge. Surpassing the previous record of 73 days, two hours, and 34 minutes, Dituri plans to extend his underwater venture until he reaches an impressive milestone of 100 days.
Beginning his underwater odyssey on March 1, 2023, the ambitious endeavor titled Project Neptune 100 aims to explore the long-term effects of underwater pressure and social isolation on the human body. Known as "Dr. Deep Sea," Dituri expressed his aspiration to inspire future generations and learn about human physiological functions in extreme environments.
Taking place at Jules' Undersea Lodge, situated in a 30-foot deep lagoon in Key Largo, Florida, the experiment continues the legacy set by two professors who previously held the record in 2014. Notably, the lodge stands apart by avoiding technology to regulate underwater pressure.
Within his modest 100-square-foot cabin, Dituri has managed to create a comfortable living space complete with exercise equipment, a microwave, and a window. Adhering to a daily routine, he starts his mornings at five o'clock with a workout session followed by a protein-rich meal cooked in the microwave, often consisting of eggs or salmon.
In addition to his underwater venture, Dituri continues to fulfill his teaching responsibilities by conducting online biomedical engineering classes for his students at the University of South Florida. Dr. Deep Sea captivates his students by sharing his experiences and providing virtual tours of his cabin during class sessions.
While gaining recognition for his record-breaking achievement, Dituri remains laser-focused on a different objective: using the experiment to improve people's lives. "The record is just a small milestone, and I appreciate it," Dituri humbly expressed to the Associated Press. "I'm honored to have achieved it, but there's still more science to be done."
According to his website, Dituri holds the belief that long-term exposure to pressure may yield positive health benefits capable of alleviating various ailments, such as traumatic brain injuries and age-related diseases. This experiment serves as his opportunity to test this theory, with a dedicated team of medical professionals meticulously documenting Dituri's physical and mental well-being.
Comprehensive testing, including blood panels, ultrasounds, and electrocardiograms, is being conducted on Dituri. "As the human body has never been underwater for this duration, I'll be under close monitoring," Dituri shared with the New York Post. "This study will thoroughly explore the impacts of this journey on my body, and my hypothesis is that increased pressure will result in improvements to my health."
Despite facing challenges and missing significant family events, including his daughter's graduation, Joseph Dituri remains driven by his ultimate goal. He acknowledges the sacrifices made for this underwater journey, stating, "We had to fit it in between hurricane season and the holidays, and I'm like, 'Baby, something had to fall.' And she's like, 'Don't worry about it. I know you'll be there in spirit.' And I'm like, 'Damn.'"
On a day-to-day basis, Dituri shared with the Associated Press the one thing he truly longs for: the sun. "The thing that I miss the most about being on the surface is literally the sun," Dituri expressed. "The sun has been a major factor in my life—I usually go to the gym at five and then I come back out and watch the sunrise."
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