Freediver Nick Mevoli Died Moments After Surfacing From Record Attempting Dive

Nicholas Mevoli poured his passion into freediving, an extreme sport where participants dive deep underwater on a single breath, without the help of any breathing devices. 

This sport gained wider recognition through the Netflix documentary "The Deepest Breath."

Mevoli completing a record-breaking dive in 2013. Credit: YouTube/Carlos Correa

Originally from Florida, Mevoli balanced a career in television with his love for freediving, competing internationally and diving to impressive depths without any artificial air supply.

His competitive journey began in 2012, and it wasn't long before he made history as the first American to reach 100 meters depth without additional air, earning accolades at prestigious competitions such as the Deja Blue contest and the Caribbean Cup.

Yet, in 2013, during a record-breaking attempt at a Vertical Blue competition in the Bahamas, the adventure took a fatal turn.

Mevoli aimed for a depth of 72 meters and emerged after three minutes and 38 seconds, signaling "OK" to those above. 

Tragically, the 32-year-old suddenly lost consciousness and fell back into the water.

The event organizers later announced Mevoli's death, leading to the cancellation of the nine-day competition as a tribute to him.

"We are very sad to report that earlier today Nicholas Mevoli (USA) tragically lost his life after a CNF dive to 72m," they expressed in a heartfelt statement. 

Mevoli became the first American to dive to 100 metres without any additional air. Credit: YouTube/Carlos Correa

"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 organizers also noted: "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."

An investigation by AIDA, the International Association for the Development of Apnea, concluded that Mevoli's death was due to a 'pulmonary hemorrhage caused by barotrauma,' a condition resulting from a pressure imbalance leading to tissue damage, in this case, from seawater.

Following his untimely death, friends and the freediving community offered numerous tributes to Mevoli. 

Grant Graves, a close friend, shared with 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 highlighted that Mevoli's death was the first in a freediving competition in over two decades.

He tragically died in 2013 after surfacing from a dive. Credit: YouTube/Carlos Correa

Photographer and friend Lia Barnett remembered him fondly, saying:

"He was just an all-around good guy. Very altruistic, caring deeply about others."

"He cared about others a great deal and did a lot of volunteering and was much loved by everybody."

"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.