An American scientist is breaking records by living in an underwater room off the coast of Florida. He plans to stay there for 100 days. Joe Dituri, a biomedical engineer at the University of South Florida and former Navy diver, is studying the effects of hyperbaric pressure on the human body, which occurs when air pressure is higher than at sea level.
Living Underwater for 100 Days
Since March 1st, Dituri has been living in a 55-square meter underwater room at a depth of 9 meters below the surface of the ocean. If he completes his experiment, he will set the record for the longest time spent under the surface of the ocean. Dituri’s research involves a different approach from life on a submarine, where the air pressure is maintained at the level that exists at sea level.
Effects of Hyperbaric Pressure
At a depth of 9 meters, the air pressure inside the room is about twice as high as on land. This could pose a threat, as nitrogen from the air penetrates through the thin walls of the lungs into the bloodstream. It may be due to changes in how neurotransmitters transmit signals between neurons in our brains. Dituri’s study aims to shed light on the long-term effects of hyperbaric pressure, which have not yet been studied in depth.
Challenges of Living Underwater
Living underwater comes with its own set of challenges. The underwater room does not have solid hatches or airlocks between the ocean and the living space, which means the air inside the room is compressed by the weight of the ocean. This could lead to mild euphoria or intoxication. Additionally, Dituri will receive only half as much sunlight as on land, which could cause a vitamin D deficiency and disrupt his circadian rhythm. The only exercise that he will be able to do is swimming. Despite these challenges, Dituri is excited to conduct his research and contribute to the field of biomedical engineering.
