Egyptian scuba diver stays underwater for 145 hours

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- An Egyptian scuba diver is believed to have set a new world record by remaining under water for nearly six entire days.

Saddam Al-Kilany, 29, plunged into the Red Sea off the Dahab coast and remained underwater for 145 hours and 30 minutes, surpassing his own 2017 personal best of 121 hours as well as the current record of 142 hours, 47 minutes. The current world record was set by Cem Karabay in Cyprus in 2016.

Al-Kilany had originally planned to remain underwater for 150 hours, but the attempt was ended at 145 hours and 30 minutes due to concerns about his health.

Al-Kilany, who previously made headlines when he and his fiancee, Pia Legora, held their engagement ceremony underwater in September, was supported in his world record attempt by a team of medical experts and fellow scuba divers.

Video from the attempt and other documentation is being submitted to Guinness World Records for recognition as the world's longest scuba dive.