OP
SeaJay
Contributor
Whoops. My bad. I was thinking that Keowee was up there near Irmo... Not far from Murky.
Well, most of your questions have been addressed already in this thread, but just to recap:
The 14 day dive is a confined water dive, not open water. Think saltwater aquarium, with a controllable environment. It's not open ocean, and isn't comparable with what was done Thursday in Keowee. The salinity and temperature, as well as other parameters, are closely monitored and controlled. To date, this record stands at just under nine days.
Yes, the plan is to have electronics equipment down there... Actually, on the other side of the "aquarium window." The only part that's tough is getting the controls on "my side," which hasn't been difficult to address. Frankly, battling boredom is a significant part of the challenge.
There's 15 Phases to this plan, with a world record being challenged at Phase 5, Phase 10, and Phase 15. Phase 5 is the 14 day dive - effectively the first challenge. Phases 1-4 are "practices" and lead up to Phase 5, which is really a preparation for Phase 10 and 15. All of this is done in Phases in order to learn prior to each challenge. For clarity, Phase 5 will challenge the world record for "Longest SCUBA Submergence - Controlled Environment." Phase 10 will challenge the world record for "Longest SCUBA Submergence - Open Water" (what was done at Keowee) and Phase 15 will be an underwater distance record (too soon to tell yet the official name).
You're right about a couple of things... Phase 1 is my biggest focus at this point, which is actually done with an eye on Phase 5. Phases 6 and up have not yet entered into the equation, other than the fact that Phase 5 is actually a preparation for Phase 10. Phase 1 will be a 24 hour dive in a controlled, saltwater environment, and I will test all facilities that will be utilized in the Phase 5 dive. Phase 2 will be a duplicate of Phase 1, and Phase 3 will stretch the time to 48 hours. Phase 4 will stretch the time to 72 hours, and of course, Phase 5 will stretch it to 14 days. There's been a ton of research done to ensure the success of Phase 5, but we fully expect to discover problems in Phases 1-4 and learn to solve them before Phase 5.
Another thing you're right about is the saltwater thing, and dehydration. Frankly, the saltwater environment is what really makes this approach to the records unique - to my knowledge, nobody has taken this approach before. Interestingly, we suspect that while dehydration will be an issue, the actual skin - the dermis - will actually be superhydrated, making for a unique medical condition which has it's own advantages and disadvantages in the dives. There's also the issue of hypersalinization, or the body's tendency to take on salts and minerals from the surrounding environment.
We've taken steps to meet the challenges of these issues... But expect that not all issues have yet been resolved. This is why Phases 1-4 are so important.
Interestingly, we feel that while freshwater immersion could have it's advantages and disadvantages, Phase 15 will no doubt be done in salt water. Thus, embracing the salt water environment early on is paramount, whether it's advantageous or not.
Here's the information you're looking for from Guinness...
"Dear Mr Bayne
Thank you for your enquiry regarding your intention to break the record for 'Longest SCUBA submergence - controlled environment'.
I have enclosed our recommended guidelines for 'Longest SCUBA submergence - controlled environment', which should provide you with all the details you require to make your attempt. You should ensure that all those participating are aware of the contents of these guidelines, and your attention is drawn to the authentication we require when you come to make your claim.
Our standard agreement form for record attempts is also enclosed and must be signed by yourself and any other individual who may contribute material as evidence (e.g. photos/videos). This must be returned with the above documentation in order for us to consider your claim.
Once the record has been attempted and you have compiled your claim and completed the standard record agreement form, they should be sent to us here at: GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, 338 EUSTON ROAD, LONDON NW1 3BD, ENGLAND
The current record is:
The continuous duration record (i.e. no rest breaks) for scuba (i.e. self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, used without surface air hoses) is 212 hr. 30 min., by Michael Stevens of Birmingham in a Royal Navy tank at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England from February 14-23, 1986.
However, you may wish to check with us again closer to submitting your full claim to be sure that a new record has not been set in the interim.
If you should require any further information, please do let us know, otherwise we hope that the event goes well and look forward to hearing the results.
Yours sincerely,
Amanda Sprague
Records Research Services"
And of course, the actual parameters of the dive:
"LONGEST SCUBA SUBMERGENCE
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
The following act as a guide to the specific considerations
and undertakings, in addition to the general requirements,
for any potential attempt on record title record. They should
be read and understood by all concerned organisers,
participants and witnesses prior to the event.
RULES
This record is for spending the greatest amount of time submerged using SCUBA gear in a controlled environment.
1. A controlled environment is defined as any man-made body of water, in which the water environment is manipulated to any degree. Swimming pools, diving tanks, ponds, aquaria, etc. whether indoors or out of doors, fall within this definition.
2. At no time during the record attempt may the diver (or any part of the divers body or equipment) break the surface of the water.
3. Only self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) without any kind of physical connection to the surface is allowed. Dry suits are permitted.
4. The diver must be supported by a support crew. There are no restrictions on the size of this crew.
5. When the divers scuba tanks are empty, the support crew may provide full scuba tanks or can refill the tanks being used by the diver at that time."
Simple, eh? Lol...
