Jess Hardiman
A freediver attempting to set a new record tragically died just moments after surfacing, despite giving the signal that he was okay.
Nicholas Mevoli dedicated his life to the extreme sport of freediving, which sees people dive into deep waters holding their breath, without the aid of any breathing apparatus - a sport featured in Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath:
Born in Florida, Mevoli worked in television while enjoying freediving as a hobby, regularly entering competitions around the world where he descended to great depths on just one breath.
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After he started competing in 2012, it wasn’t long before he became the first American to dive to 100 metres without any additional air, also winning medals at a number of high profile events including the Deja Blue contest and Caribbean Cup.
However, in 2013, one of his dives turned fatal as he attempted to break a record at a competition held by Vertical Blue in the Bahamas.
Mevoli was trying to reach a 72-metre depth, resurfacing after three minutes and 38 seconds underwater to flash the ‘OK’ sign.
But the 32-year-old then suddenly lost consciousness, falling back into the water.
The competition organisers later confirmed that Mevoli had died, with the nine-day event cancelled as a mark of respect.
“We are very sad to report that earlier today Nicholas Mevoli (USA) tragically lost his life after a CNF dive to 72m,” they said in a statement at the time.
“He was conscious when he surfaced but then blacked-out more than 30 seconds later. Emergency procedures were followed and despite receiving immediate medical attention, he failed to regain consciousness.
“At the moment we are all extremely shocked and saddened and trying to establish what happened. His family has been informed and all our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
The statement added: “Competition freediving has an enviable safety record but the sport can never be risk-free, something understood by all freedivers.
“We will give more details as soon as they emerge.”
Freediving’s governing body AIDA - Association Internationale pour le Développement de l'Apnée - found that Mevoli had died after suffering a ‘pulmonary hemorrhage due to barotrauma’, which is caused when a pressure difference between an unvented space in the body and the gas or fluid (in this case, seawater) that surrounds it cause physical tissue damage.
After his death, tributes poured in for Mevoli, with his close friend Grant Graves telling CNN: “You don’t meet many people like Nick.
“He was the best diver in the U.S. - the best.
“He was one of a kind.
“I’d known him for two years and judged him too - and he was the best.”
Graves said that Mevoli’s death was the first to occur in freediving competition for 21 years.
Another friend, photographer Lia Barnett, said: “He was just an all round good guy.
“He was very altruistic. He cared about others a great deal and did a lot of volunteering and was much loved by everybody.”