A German aerospace engineer has set a new world record for the longest time spent living underwater in a submersible chamber near the coast of Panama. The engineer, Rudiger Koch, aged 59, spent 120 days in the underwater habitat, breaking the previous record for “longest time spent underwater without depressurization.” By achieving this feat, Koch aims to challenge perceptions of human survival capabilities and showcase that humans can indeed thrive in the ocean.
According to media reports, Koch emerged from his underwater dwelling located 11 meters below sea level last Friday in the presence of Guinness World Records certifier Susana Reyes, who confirmed his achievement. Koch surpassed the previous record set by Joseph Dituri, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of South Florida, who lived in a submerged cabin in a Florida lagoon for 100 days in 2023.
After stepping out of the chamber, Koch expressed, “This was a great adventure journey, and now that it’s over, I feel a bit nostalgic, I really enjoyed this time.” He described the serene beauty outside the porthole, mentioning how the tranquil waters reflected shimmering light as the surroundings faded into dusk, urging others to experience it firsthand.
To celebrate his accomplishment, Koch popped a bottle of champagne, lit a cigar, and then plunged into the Caribbean Sea before being taken to shore by a boat for a celebratory party.
Koch’s underwater habitat, spanning an area of 30 square meters, was equipped with modern amenities including a bed, bathroom, television, computer, internet access, and even a stationary bicycle, albeit lacking a shower facility. The chamber had solar panels for power supply and a backup generator.
Located just a 15-minute boat ride from Panama’s northern coast, the underwater chamber was connected to another above-surface chamber via a narrow spiral staircase-like pipe, allowing food providers and medical personnel to access the habitat through this passage.
Throughout the challenge, Koch’s daily life was recorded 24/7 by four cameras installed inside the chamber to affirm that he never resurfaced while monitoring his mental well-being.
Certifier Reyes remarked, “We had to monitor and verify his condition continuously for over 120 days, 24 hours a day, which required a lot of effort from us.”
Following the successful completion of the challenge, Koch emphasized that this experience was not just a personal adventure but also an exploration of human capabilities for underwater survival. He aspires to showcase the potential for future human habitation underwater through his groundbreaking accomplishment.