On March 26th, 2014, following a year’s training in Indonesia, Will Goodman, 37, a technical diving Instructor Trainer, and Guinness World Record holder for the longest scuba dive (48 hours and 8 minutes), descended to a recorded depth of 290m using an unmodified, JJ-CCR (closed-circuit rebreather). Though all depth gauges stopped registering further, it is estimated the actual depth exceeded an astonishing 300m.
Unlike conventional scuba where compressed gas is vented with every breath, a rebreather recirculates the gas around an enclosed ‘loop’ allowing the diver to stay down longer. Fresh oxygen is added when necessary, and carbon dioxide is filtered out. ‘Standard tanks still need to be carried for emergency though,’ Will clarifies. ‘Plus, the unit is controlled electronically, so there are other considerations.’