A Florida professor set a new world record after living underwater for 74 days.
And he’s planning 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 at an 100-square-foot an underwater habitat 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 spent his downtime the time eating protein-rich foods, exercising with resistance bands and napping.
He plans to stay in the lodge for 100 days total.
Dituri, who has a doctorate in biomedical engineering and is a retired U.S. Naval 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, rich-oxygen environment.
“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 confined area will limit their options for food, 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 Tennessee professors, previously set the record after living in the same habitat for 73 days, two hours and 34 minutes in 2014.
“It’s really not about the record,” Dituri said. “If we can get people excited about science, that would be a great success to me!”