I Need to Talk to a Shipwreck Survivor...

[SeaJay]

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
<<Record Claim - Guidelines & Agreement.doc>> <<Scuba diving, controlled water submergence.doc>>

There is currently another Royal Navy diver who did an attempt recently... (LCpl Mark Webber.) His attempt was for 13 days. Unfortunately, he was called to the war in the Middle East and had to abort his dive early. I've been in touch with the person in charge of that dive (surprisingly, NOT LCpl Mark Webber) and there was quite a bit of disappointment expressed. I fully expect the team to try again once they return from the war.

My attempt needs to not only break the old record, but sufficiently discourage Mr. Webber and his team from breaking my own, so my record can have some longevity.

This feels very much like the Craig Breedlove/Sir Richard Noble thing. I'm very flattered to be a part of the competition.

 

[SeaJay]

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 diver’s 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.

I'm so excited I think I'm gonna throw up.

 

[shellbird]

Do wireless devices work like that underwater/through glass or is it a special set up?

 

[O-ring]

Sounds interesting...doesn't sound DIR at all to me though...but interesting nonetheless..

 

[detroit diver]

Are there any deco isssue even at his shallow depth for such an long period of time?

 

[Wendy]

Here is a location idea. I don't relaly see Disney or Sea World letting you use thier place. Disney won't even let visiting divers use their own gear due to contaminents.

Try Marineland in Florida. Its on the coast and they could reallly use the publicity thatyou would bring.

 

[Scubaroo]

Got to be honest - having multiple double rigs set up and changing into them sounds like a hassle - especially if fatigue begins to set in - have you thought about just wearing a single on your back continuously for bailout, and breathing off stage bottles?

At least you'd get plenty of experience diving with stages and doing gas switches

 

[detroit diver]

Are there any issues with breathing ultra dry air continuously for 2 weeks? I'm thinking throat and respiratory issues.

 

[Kayla]

very interesting, not to mention exciting for you. I wish you the best of luck.... let us/ me know if there is anything we can do to help out!


Kayla

 

[trymixdiver]

valid point Roo...

Donning and doffing doubles u/w is not something you want to learn during the attempt. it takes practice and skill to get it down. Even then i think this may be an issue.

Maybe have doubles on as a bail out and breath from stages. Being that your going to be down that long i dont think a single for back gas really gives you much time.

This way you have a good supply of back gas bail out and your reducing the amount of times your going to have to switch out your b/p and wings. sounds like something to consider.

Andy