MAN SETS NEW RECORD FOR LIVING UNDERWATER FOR OVER A 100 DAYS
Rudiger Koch, a 59-year-old German aerospace engineer, believes that although living underwater seems like science fiction, it is a viable option for humanity. Koch broke the Guinness World Record for the longest period spent submerged without depressurization by spending 120 days below the surface in an attempt to demonstrate that it was feasible.
Koch's 320-square-foot underwater home, 36 feet off the northern Panamanian coast, had all the amenities one could want for a comfortable stay: a bed, toilet, TV, internet, and even an exercise bike that was powered by solar panels on the surface. But there aren't any showers.
Another chamber on top of the underwater capsule was connected by a spiral staircase, which allowed him to enter the house for food deliveries and to receive visits from his wife, kids, and doctor. The highlight of the show? A copy of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, since the tale of Captain Nemo motivated Koch to accept this challenge.
It was an amazing journey, and now that it's over, there's almost a feeling of regret. I had a great time here," Koch told AFP. One of the highlights of this adventure, in his opinion, was the views from the portholes. "It is lovely when everything settles down, the sun sets, and the sea is illuminated. It is impossible to explain; you must go through it yourself.
On January 24, Koch came out of his underwater residence to be greeted by Susana Reyes, an adjudicator for Guinness World Records. The official verified that the engineer had surpassed Joseph Diturit's previous record of 100 days. Four cameras recorded his everyday activities to ensure he never left the capsule, and they also assisted in monitoring his mental state. In light of all the incredible feats that Guinness World Records records, Reyes called this undertaking "one of the most extravagant."
Before jumping into the ocean from the upper deck and boarding a boat that would take him to the mainland, the engineer celebrated the end of this chapter with a glass of champagne and a cigar. In addition to creating history with this record, Koch is thrilled to demonstrate that people can live for extended periods—and even permanently—under the sea. According to Koch, "As a species, we should move out to the ocean." "Our objective is to demonstrate that the oceans are a suitable habitat for human growth."