…and not by starvation of oxygen like in all the other dives. Herbert is putting together details of his record dive to -249 meters near Santorini on June 6th, such as the confusion of waking up while surfacing, wet recompression, transport to Deco chamber, etc. An official announcement will be made soon. Parallel he is intensively working on his full recovery together with specialists.

Read more ...

After his positive response to the treatment received in Athens and sufficient progress, Herbert has now been transferred to a rehabilitation clinic in Germany. There, he will undertake some more tests to ensure that nothing has been overseen in previous assessments. While he is making strong progresses daily, the combination of rest and no visits remains the best for him currently.

We would like also to communicate further information about the dive. Herbert did reach the planned depth of 244m/800ft and even a bit more to set the mark at 249 meters/820 feet. More depth gauges were used than on any other record attempts. Not all made it below 200 meters, but four of them from the same manufacturer provided accurate readings. Further devices monitored  by an oceanic physicist have recorded data with a great sampling rate and precision: it confirms a depth between 249 and 250 meters. The rope was checked again after the dive and backs-up the readings. The difference can be accounted for by the dynamic extension of the rope acting as an absorber when the sled reaches the bottom.

Read more ...

Official Press Release

“Extreme 800”- Herbert Nitsch

Amazing Recovery For The Deepest Freediver Ever

We are glad to inform you tonight that Herbert Nitsch is headed for full recovery. After three recompression treatments, he has been taken out of intensive care and is now under constant but normal monitoring.

We would like to clarify at this stage that the data collected from five instruments during the dive confirms that Herbert did reach the planned depth of 244m/800ft. Undeniably, he is the deepest freediver on earth.

Read more ...

Official Press Release

“Extreme 800”- Herbert Nitsch

Recovering Well After World Record of 244m (800ft)

On the picturesque Island of Santorini, near Thirasia the world record attempt for the “Extreme 800” took place at 2:30pm. Herbert was accompanied by a support team of 5 safety divers, 2 medical specialists and an experienced underwater film crew, all with specific tasks to ensure Herbert´s safety and wellbeing. The warm up and preparation phase went according to plan and he felt very comfortable and clear minded during the initial stage of his final preparation as well as after moving and strapping into his sled.

Herbert Nitsch reached the planned world record depth of 244m (800ft) and reascended without any technical mishap. He did however feel physically unstable upon reaching the depth of 10 meters, which was the planned stop for him to exit the sled and start his decompression routine. According to the drills and safety procedures that had been thoroughly trained and rehearsed, his safety divers then assisted him back up to the surface.

Read more ...