Australia: 2-week underwater survival test

Yesterday, a 29-year-old Australian biochemist and scuba diver, Lloyd Godson, began an unusual project to prove his ability to endure by living underwater for 2 weeks. He believed that he could survive in an airtight tank just by growing algae to supply oxygen and eating with a fixed bike to generate electricity.

Godson said he liked this challenge very well and would have no better chance than to be able to build and live in an underwater house where it was quite cool. He will live for 2 weeks in a 9 meter block - also known as BioSUB - on the bottom of a lake near the house in Albury - New South Wales - Victoria. This work is funded by the Australian Geographic Society.

The most difficult of the main test is to use algae to remove CO ₂ from the atmosphere and create oxygen, besides during the study Godson will also have to undergo psychological and physical tests.

He said there will always be gas monitoring devices and alternative supplies to ensure the gas quality is always at the standard level and if it does not work effectively.

And to entertain Godson can also surf the Web and play drums in his underwater house. On the shore, a divers and volunteers will monitor his movements.

The Bio SUB model is being lowered into the water. (Photo: biosub.com.au)

Also included in the research group is Nacy Radar psychologist Ithaca New York University, USA will be responsible for observing Godson's underwater situation. From the shore she will use a software designed by NASA to track the formation of astronauts' awareness in space. She hopes to know the impact of isolating the state of basic sensory states such as fear, depression and cognitive activities including memory, attention and problem solving.

Godson was not the first person to do this work, but NASA biological engineers conducted in 1990.

According to the AP-Australia source, what makes this project different from the previous ones is that it is not a program worth 1 billion or 1 million dollars and does not use traditional methods, though Of course, Godson was excited, though he didn't know much about it.

Lloyd Godson . (Photo: Peter Merkesteyn)

Godson said he enjoyed living in the sea and diving and looking for a peaceful and calm place to dive under the water. Compared to the outside, this is really a refuge when you get old, you want to be there with a small camping bed and enjoy.

For more details about BioSUB, contact Lloyd and follow his journey here.

Anh Phuong