NEWS FROM ATHENS: “THINGS DON’T LOOK BAD”
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.
Upon surfacing, he was aware and conscious, took his oxygen regulator as a standard part of his routine and went back down to complete his decompression schedule between 9 and 6 meters. It became apparent during this phase that he was feeling disoriented, although breathing perfectly on his oxygen regulator. As a safety measure, the surface team than requested the emergency plan to be set in motion: as soon as Herbert surfaced again, he was moved onto the safety speed boat and evacuated to the nearest harbor under supervision of a doctor and a medic. In the harbor, the ambulance which was on standby transported him right away to the airport of Santorini; from there, he was evacuated by air ambulance (plane) directly to the naval hospital in Athens.
He undertook an initial decompression chamber treatment within less than an hour after the beginning of the dive. Past this initial treatment, he was put under sedatives to spend the night under intravenous and constant monitoring. After awakening this morning, he was placed back into the chamber for further treatment. Due to the duration of such treatment, he will still be under decompression for a few hours this afternoon and no further comment or update will be provided today.
We would like to insist on the fact that this statement is true to the point. We have no reasons to diminish the gravity of what happened or the positive outcome we are informing you about. Herbert never experienced a massive heart attack as has been communicated by wrongly informed media. We feel it is our duty to communicate accurately on these events, in the interest of Herbert as much as for the sake of the whole freediving community and any diver considering similar feat.
We will publish further information tomorrow and look forward to sharing more positive news. Herbert, his family and his whole team here in Santorini extend their grateful thanks to the emergency team which was on standby in Santorini. Our outmost thanks go to Dr Kelidis, the Divers Alert Network and all of you caring for accurate information on Herbert’ wellbeing.
No man has ever achieved what Herbert Nitsch did throughout his career. No man could have done what he did yesterday and come back alive. Despite the unlucky outcome of this dive, Herbert is and remain the greatest freediver of all times.
For any questions regarding this press release, please write to management@herbertnitsch.com or call +43 676 9396858 (Austrian Mobile), + 306975941386 (Greek Mobile) – Sylvia Ritt (Manager of Herbert Nitsch). The photo accompanying this release can be used free of charge. For further photos and underwater pictures please contact Phil Simha on phil.simha@gmail.com or +30 6977036237 (Greek Mobile up to June 9) or +41 79 7863375.
Gute besserung Herbert und eine schnelle genesung.
WELL DONE!!!
AWESOME. Thank you so much for this clear and precise information. I have recently started to offer freediving courses here in Cozumel, Mexico. In my promotional efforts, the focus was not only on the certification courses & ‘Freedive the Reef’ trips I offer, but on the sport of freediving in general.
As I was reading the posts from Phil, I was Sharing the news and cultivating excitement (along with wind dances…ha!) within our local dive community. As much as our sport has matured in recent years, I still find the initial, “freedivers are those crazies with a death wish” reaction one of the biggest challenges to overcome in trying to promote, or bring even more attention to, recreational freediving. Still, the truth is that the freediving record attempts tend to be what makes the news. For me, it only made sense to use the Extreme 800 attempt as a fuel to spark freediving interest in general. I was certainly captivated by the story, and I’m just one of those “crazy freedivin’ chicks”.
Herbert and his team have accomplished amazing feats with this attempt, and pushed the boundaries in a such a safe manner that he is well enough to share the experience, and to eventually share the lessons learned……that’s how we move on, progress, and the evolution process takes place. That in itself is something we can celebrate.
Even tho the outcome wasn’t the ideal one, I feel good in knowing that the professionalism of all involved will ensure that this news story won’t be one that will bring shame to the sport as other freediving record attempts have done in the past. I am confident that even the most skeptical observer will acknowledge the Good Job Herbert and his team have done here.
Thanks guys, for keepin’ it real, and for cultivating a safety conscious, healthy attitude in our sport…from the deepest heart of my freediving promotional efforts, I Thank You for doin’ it Right.
Wir drücken dir die Daumen und hoffen dass Du unbeschadet aus diesem Abenteuer ins Leben zurück kommst!
Marcus Mamma
How true – one of the greatest freedivers of all times
Happy to hear that all is going in a positive direction
With all respect
Herbert, stop making stupid things. don’t risk your life for a record. Stay close to your family and friends and continue to dedicate your life to the sea, but not trying to make this stupid records.
Apnea’s world needs you.
kisses
You are the best Herbert! Congratulation for the record and get well soon!
Eine baldige Genesung!
Herbert, you are the strongest men in the world and I’m sure everything will be good and you will be more stronger!
Get well soon, my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you’ll be fine and continue to do remarkable things as a man and athlete. Congrats on yet another world freediving record, 244m nevertheless!!! That officially makes you – the most handsome educated dolphin
). Soon we’ll be laughing again.
Big hug,
-Tinka
TheTinkaShow.com
Bin für Dich, Deine Familie und Freunde froh, dass die Sache gut ausgegangen ist. Ich wünsche Dir jetzt, was wohl das Allerwichtigste in diesem Moment ist, gute Besserung und baldige Genesung. Ein Gerätetaucher
Lieber Herbert, herzliche Gratulation zu Deinem neuen Grenzgang zu den Pforten der Tiefsee! Wenn Du sie erreichst, dann zögere nicht, dem Rausch der Tiefe folgend neue Welten zu ergründen. Bedenke, dass jedem Anfang ein neuer Zauber innewohnt, der Dich beschützt und der Dir hilft zu leben. Baldige Genesung und most important stay save, Michael
Get well soon! Hope the best and you are the best!
From Sydney Australia.
Will this attempt be officially recognised as world record?
A BIG TUNA STEAK AND A BEER IS WAITING FOR YOU AT BYZANTINOS RESTAURANT AT LINDOS!!! CONGRATULATIONS, AND BE WELL SOON. MIKALIS.www.byzantinolindos.gr
santorini 10 06 2012
hi! Herbert. i am the medical doctor hou was on press boat and i fix the air transportation to the hospital with the airoplain of santorini. i hope you be O.K. the next days.
Hallo Herbert
You reached as first one these quite hostile grounds of beyond 220m below sea level… Not everything is know to us, some mechanics can only be explored through empiric research.
I’m impressed how you have the courage to go ahead as first in row.
Wishing you good recovery.
One of your former Tyrolean F/O’s
Didier