I Stayed Beneath the Waves for Over Three Months: An Incredible Journey

My lengthy time in an aquatic dwelling started in the spring of 2023. Fixed to the bottom of a shallow body of water in a tropical location, the facility wasn't exactly the coziest spot I’ve ever stayed in, but then again, I wasn’t there for pleasure. Being a biomedical researcher, I took part in a scientific mission dubbed Project Neptune 100.

Study Objectives

The primary goal focused on the effects of increased air pressure—roughly 70% greater than above water—on the mental and physical state. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the consequences of long-term confinement in a compact setting. Data might provide important uses for future journeys to Mars and similar hostile surroundings.

A Familiar Environment

With 28 years as a naval diver prior to changing careers, this type of situation was not new to me. Thus when the chance presented itself, I felt excited to serve as a test subject. My partner gave me a limit: “Go for 100 days, yet not a second longer.”

Daily Routine

To enter the quarters, I had to swim down to the base. Ingress was by way of a water opening located beneath the building. Provisions were brought by assistants in secure containers. This central chamber also contained a small washing area. Flanking this room, two cylindrical rooms were the resting area and a combined kitchen and living area.

The one unfortunate occurrence was cracking a molar on early in the mission, and I then had to tolerate for the next 88 days underwater.

Each day, I rose at early dawn, completed exercises and fitness band training, consumed coffee and breakfast, and then performed a range of health analyses on myself. This involved recording my heart and brain performance, as well as testing blood, urine, and saliva. At night, I would practice mindfulness, followed by a long period of vivid slumber.

Height Alteration

While there was enough headroom to stand inside the lodge, I repeatedly bumped my head on a jutting bolt from the roof. After a couple of months, it no longer happened—I had shrunk by almost an inch. Unlike cosmonauts experience weightlessness and often become elongated, aquanauts experience vertebral shrinkage.

Psychological Health

At first, I felt some apprehensions about the impact of solitude and lack of daylight. To counter this, I consumed health boosters and had frequent sessions with a mental health professional. I did miss tactile contact with family and friends, though my 80-year-old mother actually undertake a diving course just to meet me. Additionally, I received at least one visitor weekly—such as aquatic experts, microbiologists, space explorers, and doctors—and continued leading my scientific lessons via video call.

Unexpected Encounters

The site is frequently used for diving lessons, and I often paused to wave at the young divers swimming by. Even after contracting a stomach virus, I dragged myself away from the container I’d been relying on to wave a child outside.

A regular acquaintance was a sea creature I called Fred. At one point, my crustacean friend passed by performing a odd waving dance. Intrigued, I donned my scuba gear and pursued him, only to discover merely his old casing and a little pink, gelatinous creature creeping out of it. Unknowingly, I observed a crustacean shedding underwater. How frequently does one experience observe this phenomenon?

Initially, I also spotted a large marine predator looping at a safe range. Over the following weeks, she slowly approached. By day 75 into the mission—right when I surpassed the previous best for living underwater continuously—I found her resting on the entrance at the access point of the moon pool. In order to nudge her to the side to enter the water for physical activity. She had seen me daily and at last accepted me as a fixture in her home.

Health Improvements

Throughout the project, I observed notable improvements in my physical condition. Examinations showed that collagen and stem cell production in my body had risen, suggesting a possible delay in the effects of ageing. I doubled my dreaming sleep, getting up refreshed and sharp every morning. Due to the rise in my metabolic rate, I lost 23 pounds of weight and 100 points on my lipid levels.

Dry Land Again

The one truly miserable part was suffering a broken molar on the twelfth day, which I then had to endure for the following 88 days underwater. Enjoying the sun on my face again and getting my tooth restored were among the most rewarding moments of returning to dry land.

Back at standard atmospheric pressure, I spent a few moments each day doing inversions. Within several months, I had returned to my previous size of six feet one inch once more.