Research diver begins 100 day stay at underwater facility in Florida

On Wednesday, an underwater researcher began his mission, which is to remain submerged underwater for 100 days.  The researcher will also use this experiment as an opportunity to educate students and carry out medical and marine science research.

40 young divers will join the research for a period of 24 hours, allowing them to become certified aquanauts.

Retired U.S. Navy commander Joseph Dituri, 55, who holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering and teaches hyperbaric medicine, confirmed that he will live and work until June 9th at Jules’ Undersea Lodge. This facility is located 30 feet (9.1 meters) beneath the surface in Key Largo lagoon.  It was originally designed to be a marine research lab, however it was converted into a hotel in 1986.

The previous record for underwater habitation for a human at ambient pressure is 73 days.  This was set in 2014 at Jules’ by two Tennessee university educators.

“It’s not so much about the record,” Dituri said. “It’s more about incentivizing the next generation of kids to come down here to learn how to preserve, protect and to rejuvenate the marine environment.”

During the project, which has been called Project Neptune 100, Dituri will undergo continuous testing to study the effects of living in a confined, extreme environment.

The majority of the research will focus on hyperbaric medicine, which delivers oxygen under increased pressure to treat conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning and infections which deprive body tissue of oxygen.

During Dituri’s 100 days underwater, his medical team will monitor his health and also look out for the increased production of stem cells.