Solo descent by swimming 8592 m for a duration of 10.20 hours
About a month ago we noticed a post by Davide Marchetti, known on social media as Ghost Divers, in which he announced a new incredible record,
We thought we'd ask Davide directly to tell us about his record, how the idea came about, and what it meant to him.
Davide Marchetti's post about the longest solo cave descent record
CAVE EXPLORATION: NEW WORLD RECORD FOR CAVE DIVING – LONGEST SWIM!
My name is Davide Marchetti I'm a certified cave diving instructor. After over five years of training and experimentation, thanks to my amazing friends and colleagues, I've finally achieved my goal!
It all started when I read about a record-breaking descent by the legendary Sheck Exley: “Longest solo cave swim descent, Sheck Exley, 1989, Chips Hole cave system, Florida, solo penetration by swimming approximately 3.183 feet!”
I was very inspired by his exploits and since I was already experimenting with side-mount multi-stage setups, I thought I could push the limits of my equipment and my body… and break this record!
I decided to dive the Nohoch Nah Chich cave system because of its shallow depth, good flow, and visibility. So, on May 3, 2023, my support team, videographers, and I headed to #Nohoch for my record-breaking dive.
We are currently working on validating the distance, but so far we can round up the numbers and say that I have managed to cover about 4.267 meters of penetration, for a total of 8592 meters of swimming, with an immersion time greater than 10 hours…
This is a solo dive record, but without my dive team and sponsor, I couldn't have done it! My friends were strategically positioned at different points in the cave to keep an eye on me and film the event!
The story of Davide Marchetti and his cave diving record
MY RECORD AND WHAT I LEARNED
My name is Davide Marchetti , I'm a technical cave instructor and I live in Mexico. I've been doing this job for over 15 years, and for 12 of them I've been here in Playa del Carmen, where I guide cave divers and teach sidemount and cave diving.
My record
On May 3, 2023, I completed my longest cave swimming dive, covering 8592 m in the Nohoch Nah Chich system here in Mexico. The dive lasted 10 hours and 20 minutes, with an average depth of 6 m and a maximum of 12 m. The temperature consistently fluctuated between 24°C and 26°C, visibility was excellent, and the flow was very gentle. In addition to the main entrance, there is an alternative exit towards the point of maximum penetration, which can be used in an emergency. I chose the most suitable spot for swimming, not the most difficult . Nevertheless, my navigation included intersections, jumps, restrictions, and gas recalculations. The swimming distance was calculated as double the penetration. I used nine 12-liter open-circuit tanks, a freediving suit, and sidemount. I was assisted by eight divers, all friends and experienced instructors. I've been training for over 5 years to reach this level and I wish everyone could feel this way at least once in their life!
What have I learned
I'm not here to tell you how good I am at swimming with tanks loaded like a Christmas tree. I've learned several lessons over these five years, and I hope they'll be useful to you. Then decide for yourself which is the most important.
If something makes you happy it doesn't necessarily have to make sense
The things that make you happy don't have to make sense! To be happy and satisfied, you have to accept what you already know and decide to do it. Doing something and being someone will make you happy, but owning something or getting other people's attention won't. No one is responsible for your happiness, so take care of it yourself and don't listen to other people's judgments. Even when everyone tells you what you want to do is stupid and pointless, do it and become who you want to be! Big decisions made with your head will never make you happy, they will only make you survive. Trying to justify with your heart what you decided with your head will lead you to a life full of regrets! You have to decide what to do with your heart, then use your brain to make a realistic plan, and finally use your guts to follow through!
Your friends and family are the people you need to listen to.
Your friends and family are the only people you should listen to, even if they're against you. When they understand that it's important to you, they'll help you. Those who try to bring you down, however, you need to cut them out of your life! If, instead of being against your decision, they're only against your plan, then listen carefully; they might have some good advice!
The people around you are the ones who will allow you to achieve your goals.
Without the people around you, you're nothing. I couldn't have set a world record without the help of my diving friends, the support of my family, or the sponsors who cheered me on. If I did it, it's mostly thanks to them... that day, I just swam!
Camelbacks are very useful during long dives
Drinking underwater is amazing and dramatically improves your condition. Carrying a camelback with water and electrolytes has changed my life, and I do it for all dives longer than 4 hours!
Zip or catheter are very useful during long dives
Peeing outside your wetsuit is fantastic, and it feels much less cold. Not smelling like a station bathroom is also a plus! Using a zip or catheter is a great idea!
Choose the right wetsuit for your situation
A good freediving wetsuit keeps you warmer than a semi-dry suit! But it's more difficult to put on, and as always, you have to compromise!
Choose the right fin for long dives
For swimming long distances and with lots of gear, it's best to use a fin that's not too stiff, or your legs will tire after a few hours! A mid-size fin was the ideal choice for me. Everyone knows their own legs and needs to experiment; I can't give specific recommendations.
The right compromise between effectiveness and efficiency when choosing diving equipment
Equipment must achieve the ideal balance between hydrodynamics and ergonomics. If you have to suffer needlessly learning to use a piece of equipment that's too uncomfortable, change it! Effectiveness and efficiency are two criteria that will always be at odds, and we must find a solution that doesn't make us want to throw it away during the dive. That said, we mustn't limit our ability to adapt to uncomfortable situations either! Learning to compromise is the key to success and also to happiness... we must have realistic expectations!
Scuba diving as a lifestyle
Scuba diving, like any other activity, becomes a lifestyle if you do it with perseverance. I've changed my diet, what I drink, how I sleep, how I train, what I study, and especially how I manage stress!
Don't procrastinate and aim for your goals
Don't procrastinate! When you approach a deadline, you realize that of the six months you gave yourself, you've spent four building your courage and two executing your plan... remember that for next time, so you can save time! Don't be afraid of everything that can go wrong, because it hasn't happened yet, and when it does, it will be something you haven't thought of! Start now, don't wait!
Believe in yourself and work
Don't give up, you can do it... you have to do it, because now you have no other choice! When you're dead tired and sore, you'll start thinking, "Who made me do this? I could be home on the couch right now, but here I am and I'm about to explode!" When you feel like both your brain and heart are abandoning you, then you have to use your balls to keep going, because they don't think, they're made to keep going! Don't give up, you're much stronger than you think, you just have to keep going like a mule!
Weaknesses and stress are normal
Accept that stress is normal. Stressing out because you feel stressed is normal! Accept that being ashamed of your weaknesses is normal! We're all normal people with normal reasons for the problems we encounter and the ones we cause. Just let it go and move on!
Thanks to the team that made the record possible:
Support divers:
Alberto Salvini
Alessandro Reato
Emilio Gutierrez
Erik Rinda
Martin Gaspar Ramirez
Massimo Ardizzoni
Mauro Moro
Surface Coordinator:
Julia Rinda
Photos by:
Joram Mennes
