Jerry Hall, center, is helped by members of his dive team as he surfaces from South Holston Lake near Bristol, Tenn., Friday. Hall set a new world record for the longest fresh water dive of six days, one hour and 42 minutes.VIDEO
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NASHVILLE - A Tennessee scuba diver has set what is believed to be a record freshwater dive of more than six days.
Jerry Hall emerged from South Holston Lake in Tennessee's northeast corner at 1:42 p.m. EDT on Friday after going under the surface at noon on Saturday, July 27. The dive lasted six days, one hour and 42 minutes.
His trainer, Ella Helton, described Hall as emotional as he surfaced, especially as he hugged his son.
"He's in great spirits, very, very weak, very emotional," Helton said by cellphone from the lakeshore.
Hall, 49, set an earlier record of five days in 2008 that was certified by Guinness World Records, but a Florida diver later said he bested the mark.
The record was broken at 12:25 p.m. on Thursday. Hall, who is 49, then stayed down another day to extend the mark.
The dive was also used as a fundraiser for the children's charity of Bristol Motor Speedway.
The diver had not yet weighed out, but handlers expected him to lose about 30 pounds from lack of food. He was on only liquids during the dive. Hall had intentionally gained about 15 pounds prior to the dive in anticipation of the weight loss.
Asked to describe Hall as he emerged, the trainer replied, "He's very, very cold, very wrinkled and gray."
From the dive platform, Hall had told his team he wanted "a hot dog, a beer and a hot shower" as soon as he got out of the lake.
Other divers took turns staying with Hall on the dive platform around the clock, watching over him as he slept. He was never alone during the event. Medical personnel were nearby and his condition was constantly monitored.
Hall, who works at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, watched a lot of movies to pass the time while under the surface.
Helton said Hall wanted the mark to stand for a long time.
"This will be his last one," she said, noting his age.
The time of the dive will be submitted to Guinness for certification.