On March 26th, 2014, following two years of meticulous training and preparation, Will Goodman, a seasoned Technical Diving Instructor Trainer and Guinness World Record holder for the longest scuba dive, successfully descended to a recorded depth of 290m using an unmodified JJ-CCR (closed-circuit rebreather).
Upon reaching the depth of 290m, three out of four computers ceased registering further depth. In response, Will sensibly decided to conclude the dive. Reflecting on this unprecedented experience, he expressed, ‘It was the toughest and most challenging environment I have ever been in.’ Remarkably, he reached the bottom after an 8-minute and 47-second free fall, much of it shrouded in total darkness.
Navigating the challenging conditions at 290m, in 10-degree water and a strong current, Will grappled with high narcosis due to nitrogen levels in his breathing mix. Concerns about HPNS (whole body tremors) arose from the helium in his mix, compounded by the rapid descent rate. Ascent brought further challenges, with his hands shaking and a gradual loss of manual dexterity. Reflecting on the ordeal, he expressed gratitude to the team for the incredible opportunity and their unwavering dedication.
Emerging from the depths after 9 hours and 52 minutes, Will displayed no signs of decompression illness or dehydration. While not officially recognized by Guinness World Records, as there’s no specific category for this event, Will received an outpouring of well wishes and congratulations from the global diving community, affirming his claim to have surpassed the previous record of 283m.
This ambitious attempt, orchestrated by Blue Marlin Dive in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, received comprehensive logistical and team member support. Notable team members from around the world, including Jeff Anastas, Theresia Gollner, Frank Cella, Jan Schmid, Will Goodman, Jeffrey Glenn, and Simon Liddiard, contributed to the success of this remarkable achievement.