05.03.2017 - By Matthew Tommasi: Ultramarathon Runner, Spiritual, Endurance
Herbert Nitsch is the greatest freediver of all time, current freediving world record holder and “Deepest Man on Earth”.
Herbert can hold his breath for more than 9 minutes and has set a total of 33 world records, across all of the 8 recognised freediving disciplines.
On June 6th, 2012, Herbert dove to a world record 253.2 m (830.8 ft), in the No-Limits sled-dive discipline.
On the ascent, at 80m, Herbert temporarily fell asleep due to nitrogen narcosis and consequently missed the critical one-minute underwater decompression stop. Upon surfacing Herbert was alert and asked for a mask to immediately return underwater to re-compress on pure oxygen - but it was too late..
While decompressing underwater, Herbert felt the onset of severe decompression sickness, which would eventually result in multiple brain-strokes.
Herbert arrived comatose at hospital and his future did not look good. With a prognosis of remaining a "wheelchair-bound care-dependent patient", he dismissed himself from long-term facilitated care, and took his healing into his own hands.
Today, against all odds, Herbert is fit, training and deep-freediving again.
"Each time I think I've reached a limit there's a door.. it opens.. and the limit is gone."
Links mentioned in this episode:
* Herbert Nitsch (websaite)
All photos are copyrighted:
* HN = © herbertnitsch.com
* HNPS = © Herbert Nitsch & Phil Simha
Enjoy the interview.