Human submarine takes aim at world diving title
Swiss-born University of Adelaide student Sébastien Murat plans to go where no man or woman has gone before under water.
Over two weeks in June on the French Riviera, Séb ‘The Sub’ intends to dive 214m (703ft) in an attempt to break the world free diving record. Free diving means diving without the aid of oxygen tanks.
Murat, a physiology student, has studied the diving habits of whales, dolphins and seals, all of which dive to great depths with empty lungs. Adopting this technique, Murat slows his rate of oxygen consumption while increasing his tolerance of oxygen deprivation, apparently minimising the risk of the bends, narcosis and black-outs. He is so far able to hold his breath for eight minutes.
Swiss luxury watch-maker Maurice Lacroix has launched an online competition, The French Job, in support to find a team of bloggers to document Murat’s tilt at the world title. Click here to learn more about Murat and his passion.
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