A Florida Professor Is Living Underwater For 100 Days To See How It Affects His Body and Mind



Joseph Dituri, a professor at the University of South Florida, plans to spend 100 days 30 feet under the ocean’s surface in an underwater lodge as a scientific experiment to find out how the constant increased pressure affects his body and mind. The current world record for time spent living underwater was set in 2014 by two Tennessee biologists who managed to live submerged for a total of 73 days. If Professor Dituri meets his goal, he will beat that record by a whopping 27 days. Going by the nickname “Dr. Deepsea,” Dituri moved into Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, an underwater hotel 30 feet below the surface, where he plans to remain until June 9th. During this time, he and a team of physicians and scientists plan to conduct a series of tests to see how living underwater for prolonged periods of time affects the human body and mind. The human body has never been underwater that long, so Dituri will be monitored closely. He and others at the University of South Florida now believe that the increased pressure could increase his longevity and prevent diseases tied to aging. To keep water from entering the lodge, air must constantly be pumped into the living space, which creates a pressure about 1.6 times that of the earth’s surface. During the 100 days, the 55-year-old will be regularly visited by a medical team who will run a series of tests, including blood panels, ultrasounds, and EKGs. He will also undergo psychosocial and psychological tests to understand the mental effects of being stuck alone underwater for long periods of time.