Herbert Nitsch

Herbert Nitsch is the current freediving world record holder and “the Deepest Man on Earth”. This prestigious title was given to him when he then set the world record for freediving at an incredible depth of 214 m (702 ft) in 2007 in the No Limit discipline. He surpassed this world record with a No Limit dive to 253.2 m (830.8 ft) in 2012.

Herbert, a former airline captain for 15 years and avid yachtsman, can hold his breath for more than 9 minutes and has set a total of 33 world records. 32 of these are in all of the 8 recognized freediving disciplines – unrivaled achievements in the freediving history. Herbert has set an additional world record in the traditional Greek freediving discipline Skandalopetra.

Unlike other elite free-divers, Herbert is self-taught. He is a pioneer in every way. He developed his own freediving techniques over the years, a methodology that largely differs from the traditional styles. He brought novel ideas to the sport that meanwhile have become common elements in the current freediving scene. He is the first and only freediver documented and recorded to go beyond 180 m (590 ft) during multiple No Limit dives, and the first freediver ever to reach 100 m (328 ft) without fins or sled (free immersion, 2003). He took a break from championships in 2010 to focus solely on the No Limit discipline which is not included in competitions. On June 6th, 2012, Herbert

On June 6th, 2012, Herbert dove to 253.2 m (830.8 ft). During the dive, well after having reached the planned depth, Herbert temporarily fell asleep due to nitrogen narcosis and consequently missed the planned one-minute underwater decompression stop on the same breath-hold. At the surface, he was alert and asked for a mask to return underwater to recompress on pure oxygen, which is a standard after-dive safety feature to further off-gass. But it was too late. After the dive, while decompressing underwater, Herbert felt the onset of severe decompression sickness. This would eventually result in multiple brain-strokes. With a prognosis of remaining a "wheelchair-bound care-dependent patient", he dismissed himself from

But it was too late. After the dive, while decompressing underwater, Herbert felt the onset of severe decompression sickness. This would eventually result in multiple brain-strokes. 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.

Two years later, against all odds, Herbert is fit, training and deep-freediving again. He is part of the Ocean Advocacy Advisory Board of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who is active in protecting the ocean's wildlife and environments, and he lectures world-wide for a variety of audiences, corporate venues and for industry leaders. His multi-media lectures include exciting visuals, videos and animations.