A man who has spent four years building a homemade submarine just took it on a successful dive.
He estimates dedicating 4,000 hours to the build, much of it focused on ensuring it was safe to use.
As it’s still in the testing phases, the dive was to just 16 feet, but the sub will eventually go about 60 feet deep.
Amazingly, the scuba diver and photographer he hired to help him out on the day were more nervous than him as he made his first attempt.
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Building a submarine from scratch
The YouTuber behind the channel Planes Boats and Submarines started hatching plans for a homemade submarine in 2017.
He started taking the project seriously in 2020 and finished it just four years later.
It was a real DIY project, made in his garage and using his phone to project cutting lines for the all-steel vehicle.
Unlike the $20 million submarine that a billionaire is using to visit the wreckage of the Titanic – no, not that one – this cost him a total of $26,000.
And in contrast to the bubble submarine that lets passengers travel in first-class luxury, it’s a very simple, bare-bones sub.
Dubbed ‘Lake Defender’, it’s an electric submarine made for exploring freshwater lakes, and it weighs 6,000 lbs.
The first dive of the homemade submarine
Before taking Lake Defender underwater, the YouTuber ensured several safety protocols were in place.
The biggest worry was oxygen, both having enough and having backup plans in place should the oxygen supply run dry.
He took three canisters of soda lime with him, which, when rubbed on the walls of the sub, would absorb carbon dioxide.
The momentous dive was watched over by a master scuba diver and a photographer.
Because what good is achieving such a feat if there are no HD photos to prove it?
It was agreed that should he pass out while underwater, the scuba diver would open one of the viewports to reach him, as the submarine seals from the inside.
Lake Defender began to descend, reaching periscope depth with ease.
The YouTuber appeared celebratory and relaxed inside while the scuba diver anxiously checked on him through the ports.
After driving forward a bit, he emerged, the trip deemed a massive success.
This journey was just 16 feet, however, after more testing, he’ll aim to get it down to 60 feet.
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