HAMPTON, Tennessee (26 August 2004) -- Jerry Hall holds the world record for the longest scuba dive, but he's not satisfied. The Bluff City man set the Guinness World Record two years ago on South Holston Lake, staying underwater for 71 hours, 39 minutes, 40 seconds. He'll dive Sunday into Watauga Lake at Fish Springs Marina with a goal of extending the record by 22 hours, 30 minutes. "I wanted to raise money this time," the 39-year-old said. "Last time, I wanted to do it for a charity (but couldn't because of time constraints). I thought, if I'm going to do it again, right now is the perfect time." Proceeds from the dive will go to the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House, which provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. He's accepting pledges for every hour he stays underwater and hopes to raise at least $10,000 for the charity, which he'd heard about but didn't have a connection with until now. "I've heard some of the stories and testimonials about how it has touched people," he said. "I just thought it would be a great charity." Hall wanted to start his dive earlier this month but postponed it until Sunday after learning another diver in Kentucky planned to challenge his record. Hall's challenger canceled his dive because of safety issues and dive logistics. Hall plans to dive initially to about 30 feet. He'll stay at that level to meet Guinness regulations, which require divers to stay at least 20 feet underwater for more than 20 minutes. After he meets that mark, he'll move up to about 12 feet, where the temperature hovers in the mid-70s. "It's a little warmer, and that's where we'll hang out," he said. He learned a few lessons during his first record-breaking dive, and he adjusted his plans for this dive with those in mind. | | For instance, his hands were a lifeless gray-blue and badly shriveled after he emerged from the water two years ago. His dive team now includes medical professionals who will work 12-hour rotations to care for his hands and feet as well as ensure his overall safety and comfort. Yet his biggest struggle two years ago might have been entertaining himself. "You've got to imagine that listening to bubbles for three days straight gets annoying," he said. This time, he planned a variety of activities to keep himself busy. He ordered equipment that allows him to listen to the radio or to CDs, he found books to read and audio books to listen to, and he has a speaker that will allow him to talk to people at the surface. Planning for the 94-hour, nine-minute dive has taken about a year. Hall squeezed in dive training between his full-time job as a chemical operator for Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport and his part-time hobby of running a photography business. A personal trainer helped Hall build endurance so he can pull through the long hours. Once he enters the water, he'll continue a regimen of exercises meant to keep his body healthy during the dive. For subsidence, he'll consume gallons of water as well as apples, carrots, apple juice, cheese cubes, electrolyte replacement drinks, a liquid supplement designed for gastric bypass patients and Snickers candy bars. Hall also plans on relaxing. "I'm taking my La-Z-Boy," he said. "I'll have all the comforts of home except for a TV." Hall's underwater platform will be lighted, and an underwater camera will monitor him and allow viewers to watch the dive on land. SOURCE - Bristol Herald Courier |
