A group of WWII-era scientists used themselves as guinea pigs to learn to breathe underwater. Their experiments helped make D-Day possible.

Thu, 04/18/2024 - 14:33

A diver of the British Royal Navy is walking down a pier of Cherbourg harbor on — A diver from the British Royal Navy wore a self-contained suit without a cable attaching him to a ship in 1944.
AP Photo

During WWII, scientists experimented on themselves to help divers and submarine crews.
The scientists conducted over 600 experiments on themselves, breathing CO2, oxygen, and more gases.
The British Admiralty used their data for recon missions, including before D-Day.

On January 18, 1944, a miniature sub known as an X-craft made its way from the English Channel to French waters undetected. For four nights, the sub surfaced every 12 hours to let in fresh air.