Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver

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From one of the world’s leading cave divers comes a firsthand account of exploring the hidden depths of our oceans and the sunken caves within our planet. More people have perished in underwater caves than on Mount Everest, revealing our limited understanding of these mysterious realms compared to deep space. This narrative intertwines science, adventure, and memoir, immersing readers in the terror and beauty of earth's unknowns and the extremes of human capability. Jill Heinerth, the first person to dive deep into an Antarctic iceberg and a leader in discovering ancient Mayan watery remains, has ventured farther into the planet's depths than any other woman. She shares the harrowing split-second decisions that dictate a diver's survival, the biases that hinder women in underwater careers, and her quest to recover a fallen friend's body from a cave. Amidst the dangers of diving, Heinerth collaborates with biologists uncovering new species, physicists studying climate change, and hydrogeologists assessing our freshwater reserves. With gripping intensity, this book offers an intimate portrayal of cave diving, taking readers deep into inner space, where fear is confronted, and the success of a mission hinges on knowing one's limits while pushing the boundaries of human endurance.