Diver breaks world record by plunging 56 metres under ice

"Waldemar Bruderer, from Switzerland, has broken the world record for holding his breath while diving 56 metres (184ft) under ice. The attempt took place in the frigid waters of Lake Sils in Graubünden, where the water was a freezing -1°C. In a video, he can be seen diving into the icy water and using a guide line to swim down into the murky depths. It took him two minutes and 47 seconds to complete - and broke the previous record by four metres."

"The lake itself is situated at around 1,800m (5,905ft) above sea level in the Swiss Alps - adding to the difficulty of the challenge by reducing the available oxygen. Mr Bruderer, who is also a freediving instructor, said he hopes his new world record will raise awareness about climate change and the importance of protecting our glaciers. 'Living in Switzerland, I witness first-hand the impact of climate change and the melting glaciers that define our landscape,' he said."

Waldemar Bruderer, a Swiss freediver, set a world record by holding his breath while diving 56 metres (184ft) beneath ice in Lake Sils. The dive lasted two minutes and 47 seconds in -1°C water and surpassed the previous no-fins, no-wetsuit under-ice depth by four metres. Bruderer used a guide line and remained fully exposed with no fins or wetsuit. The lake sits at about 1,800m altitude, which reduced available oxygen and increased difficulty. Bruderer, a freediving instructor, said he hopes the achievement will raise awareness about climate change and the need to protect melting glaciers.

Read at Mail Online