On March 26th 2014, following 2 year’s of training and preparation, Will Goodman, a Technical Diving Instructor Trainer, and Guinness World Record holder for the longest scuba dive, descended to a recorded depth of 290m using an unmodified, JJ-CCR (closed-circuit rebreather).
At 290m 3 out of 4 computers stopped registering further depth, so he sensibly turned the dive.
When asked of the experience at depth, he replied, ‘It was the toughest and most challenging environment I have ever been in’. He reached the bottom after an 8 minute and 47 second free fall, most of it in total darkness.
‘At 290m in 10 degree water and strong current, I experienced high narcosis due to the nitrogen levels in my breathing mix. I began to worry about HPNS (whole body tremors) from the amount of helium in my mix, contributed to by my rapid descent rate.
My hands started shaking on ascent and I wondered
if I’d make it back. I began to lose manual dexterity… Ican’t thank the team enough for this amazing opportunity and all their hard work.’
Will surfaced after 9 hours and 52 minutes, asymptomatic of any signs of decompression illness or dehydration. The team was in high spirits and made it back to shore in time for sunset.
Although not recognised as an official Guinness World Record, due to there being no category for this event, Will was inundated with well wishes and congratulations from professionals in the diving community worldwide, confirming and accepting his claim that he has bettered the previous record of 283m.
The attempt was conducted through Blue Marlin Dive, Gili Trawangan in Indonesia, which provided full logistical and team member support. In-water team members from around the world included: Jeff Anastas, Theresia Gollner, Frank Cella, Jan Schmid, Will Goodman, Jeffrey Glenn and Simon Liddiard.