German Man
A German aerospace engineer, Rudiger Koch, has set a groundbreaking world record by living underwater for an astonishing 120 days without depressurization.
The 59-year-old accomplished this feat in a specially designed submerged capsule located 11 meters (36 feet) beneath the surface off the coast of Puerto Lindo, Panama. His achievement broke the previous record of 100 days, held by American Joseph Dituri, who lived in an underwater lodge in a Florida lagoon.
Koch emerged from his 30-square-meter (320-square-foot) underwater home to a celebratory gathering that included Guinness World Records adjudicator Susana Reyes. She confirmed his new record, marking a historic milestone.
Speaking to AFP after stepping out of the capsule, Koch reflected on his journey: “It was a great adventure, and now that it’s over, there’s almost a sense of regret. I enjoyed my time here very much.”
He described the serene beauty of the underwater world, saying, “It is beautiful when things calm down, it gets dark, and the sea is glowing. It’s impossible to describe; you have to experience it yourself.”
To celebrate, Koch toasted with champagne, smoked a cigar, and then leaped into the Caribbean Sea, where a boat whisked him away to dry land for a well-deserved party.
The capsule that housed him during his record-breaking stint was equipped with essentials and modern amenities, including a bed, toilet, television, computer, internet, and even an exercise bike.
While it lacked a shower, solar panels provided electricity, and a backup generator ensured functionality. A spiral staircase connected the capsule to a surface chamber, enabling the delivery of food and visits from doctors and other guests.
Koch’s mission went beyond breaking records. He aimed to challenge perceptions about human habitation and expand the possibilities of living in underwater environments. “What we are trying to do here is prove that the seas are actually a viable environment for human expansion,” he shared during an interview halfway through his endeavor.
His living conditions and activities were monitored around the clock by four cameras to ensure transparency and document his mental and physical well-being.
An admirer of Jules Verne’s iconic character Captain Nemo, Koch kept a copy of “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” on his bedside table throughout his stay.
Reyes, the Guinness adjudicator, called the record “one of the most extravagant” and acknowledged the immense effort it required, including continuous monitoring by witnesses.
This remarkable achievement not only underscores human resilience and adaptability but also paves the way for exploring new frontiers in underwater living, potentially altering the future of human habitation.
