Monday, September 19, 2011

  Longest scuba dive in open fresh water: Allen Sherrod sets world record (Video)

GROVELAND, FL, USA -- Diver and longtime scuba instructor Allen Sherrod, 47, of Groveland, Florida, emerged from Lake David after 120 hours (five days), 14 minutes and 11 seconds - setting the new world record for the Longest scuba dive in open fresh water, according to World Record Academy (www.worldrecordacademy.com).

  Photo: In this photo: MeduSirena Marina, Allen Sherrod.
  ( enlarge photo )

  The Guinness world record for the Longest scuba dive in open fresh water was set by Jerry Hall (USA), who remained submerged at a depth of 3.6 m (12 ft) on a submerged platform in Watauga Lake, Tennessee, USA, for 120 hr 1 min 9 sec.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the longest open saltwater SCUBA dive: 48 hr 8 min 17 sec, set by William Goodman (UK) at Blue Marlin Dive, Lombok, Indonesia.

  In accordance with the Guinness World Records rules, he did not surface at any time.

  When he surfaced, Sherrod said his first glimpse of sunlight, along with applause from a crowd full of onlookers, was welcome.

 "I was glad to see the sun. It's been gloomy down there (20 feet below the depths) for the last five days," Sherrod said.   "I was also glad to see everybody out here supporting me.

  Sherrod was also motivated by the fact that his dive was raising money for a wounded warriors organization pursuing diving efforts.

  Safety divers, Groveland Fire Rescue medics and police officers, family members, friends and strangers all kept a close watch on Sherrod.

  Throughout the dive, Sherrod had a computer monitor and keyboard specially rigged up to watch movies, listen to music and log onto Facebook until when it leaked and stopped working, he said the hardest part was not talking and joking around with anyone for all those hours.

 "The hardest part physically, was getting through the night hours, but mentally, it was just the waiting and not talking to anybody," Sherrod said.

  "After a while, it gets...well, let's just say I'm not a patient person and this was a milestone for me to have gone that long without talking, laughing and being active."

  Sherrod built up so much nitrogen in his body from being underwater this time that he had to spend hours hooked up to an oxygen tank to adjust back to life on land.

  For the last five days he survived on a liquid diet of Ensure and Gatorade.