Deep

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Doorway To The Deep

20140721

20190624 (BBC7)
20190625 (BBC7)

In his book, 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves', American journalist James Nestor investigates the world of freediving, both competitive and scientific.

He learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; unveils startling facets of human physiology - most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life.

And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans - a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown.

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

James Nestor investigates the exhilarating and dangerous world of freediving.

He learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; unveils startling facets of human physiology – most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life.

And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans – a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown.

Shark-tagging

20140722

20190625 (BBC7)
20190626 (BBC7)

James Nestor's book 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown - until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath.

Scientific adventurers take us even deeper when they explore Grand Canyon-like chasms no one has ever reached (alive) before, where life-forms flourish in 300 degree water with absolutely no light. None of it should exist, and yet it does. But how?

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

James Nestor meets some of the world's scientific freedivers and goes shark-tagging.

James Nestor's book 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown – until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath.

Japan

20140723

20190626 (BBC7)
20190627 (BBC7)

James Nestor's 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' explores the human relationship with the deep sea, following extreme athletes, adventurers and scientists who risk life and limb to dive deeper than anyone before. What they discover is weird and wondrous, and in many cases redefines our understanding of biology - ours, and the sea's.

Deep begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown - until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath.

Nestor learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; and unveils startling facets of human physiology - most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life.

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4

Nestor dives with the Ama: women who have been freediving in Japan's seas for 2,000 years.

Deep begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown – until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath.

Nestor learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; and unveils startling facets of human physiology – most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life.

Caribbean

20140724

20190627 (BBC7)
20190628 (BBC7)

In 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves', journalist James Nestor becomes enthralled by the extreme sport of freediving - where humans plunge many hundreds of feet into the sea without oxygen or breathing equipment. Nestor overcomes his initial scepticism about this dangerous sport and meditates on our relationship to the ocean, which he describes as 'the last truly quiet place on Earth.

We meet scientific adventurers who take us ever deeper when they explore Grand Canyon-like chasms no one has ever reached (alive) before, where life-forms flourish in 300-degree water with absolutely no light. None of it should exist, and yet it does. But how?

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

In the Caribbean, James Nestor plunges to the Midnight Zone - in a homemade submarine.

In 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves', journalist James Nestor becomes enthralled by the extreme sport of freediving – where humans plunge many hundreds of feet into the sea without oxygen or breathing equipment. Nestor overcomes his initial scepticism about this dangerous sport and meditates on our relationship to the ocean, which he describes as 'the last truly quiet place on Earth.

05 LAST

Sri Lanka

20140725

20190628 (BBC7)
20190629 (BBC7)

James Nestor's book, 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown - until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath.

Nestor introduces us to freedivers who are drawn to the sea for a variety of reasons: some to break records, some to find peace, and some who are scientists, freediving 'because it's the most intimate way to connect with the ocean.

Nestor unveils startling facets of human physiology - most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life.

And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans - a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown.

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

Nestor is in Sri Lanka, diving in the hope of encountering the world's largest predator.

James Nestor's book, 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown – until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath.

Nestor unveils startling facets of human physiology – most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life.

And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans – a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Doorway To The Deep	20140721	20190624 (BBC7) 20190625 (BBC7)	In his book, 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves', American journalist James Nestor investigates the world of freediving, both competitive and scientific. He learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; unveils startling facets of human physiology - most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life. And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans - a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown. A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4. James Nestor investigates the exhilarating and dangerous world of freediving. He learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; unveils startling facets of human physiology – most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life. And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans – a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown.
02	Shark-tagging	20140722	20190625 (BBC7) 20190626 (BBC7)	James Nestor's book 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown - until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath. Scientific adventurers take us even deeper when they explore Grand Canyon-like chasms no one has ever reached (alive) before, where life-forms flourish in 300 degree water with absolutely no light. None of it should exist, and yet it does. But how? A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4. James Nestor meets some of the world's scientific freedivers and goes shark-tagging. James Nestor's book 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown – until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath.
03	Japan	20140723	20190626 (BBC7) 20190627 (BBC7)	James Nestor's 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' explores the human relationship with the deep sea, following extreme athletes, adventurers and scientists who risk life and limb to dive deeper than anyone before. What they discover is weird and wondrous, and in many cases redefines our understanding of biology - ours, and the sea's. Deep begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown - until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath. Nestor learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; and unveils startling facets of human physiology - most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life. A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4 Nestor dives with the Ama: women who have been freediving in Japan's seas for 2,000 years. James Nestor's 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' explores the human relationship with the deep sea, following extreme athletes, adventurers and scientists who risk life and limb to dive deeper than anyone before. What they discover is weird and wondrous, and in many cases redefines our understanding of biology – ours, and the sea's. Deep begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown – until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath. Nestor learns how to stay underwater for extended periods; goes shark-tagging; has a close encounter with sperm whales; plunges to 2,500 feet in a DIY submarine; and unveils startling facets of human physiology – most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life.
04	Caribbean	20140724	20190627 (BBC7) 20190628 (BBC7)	In 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves', journalist James Nestor becomes enthralled by the extreme sport of freediving - where humans plunge many hundreds of feet into the sea without oxygen or breathing equipment. Nestor overcomes his initial scepticism about this dangerous sport and meditates on our relationship to the ocean, which he describes as 'the last truly quiet place on Earth. We meet scientific adventurers who take us ever deeper when they explore Grand Canyon-like chasms no one has ever reached (alive) before, where life-forms flourish in 300-degree water with absolutely no light. None of it should exist, and yet it does. But how? A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4. In the Caribbean, James Nestor plunges to the Midnight Zone - in a homemade submarine. In 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves', journalist James Nestor becomes enthralled by the extreme sport of freediving – where humans plunge many hundreds of feet into the sea without oxygen or breathing equipment. Nestor overcomes his initial scepticism about this dangerous sport and meditates on our relationship to the ocean, which he describes as 'the last truly quiet place on Earth.
05 LAST	Sri Lanka	20140725	20190628 (BBC7) 20190629 (BBC7)	James Nestor's book, 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown - until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath. Nestor introduces us to freedivers who are drawn to the sea for a variety of reasons: some to break records, some to find peace, and some who are scientists, freediving 'because it's the most intimate way to connect with the ocean. Nestor unveils startling facets of human physiology - most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life. And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans - a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown. A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4. Nestor is in Sri Lanka, diving in the hope of encountering the world's largest predator. James Nestor's book, 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves' begins at the surface and then plunges ever deeper into the unknown – until we are at 35,797 feet below sea level: the lowest point on earth. 'Freedivers' come to the ocean to redefine the limits of the human body, swimming up to 400 feet below the surface for minutes at a time in a single breath. Nestor unveils startling facets of human physiology – most notably the extraordinary life-preserving reflexes known as the Master Switch of Life. And we learn about the old and new life-forms that inhabit our deep oceans – a habitat with the greatest biodiversity on earth, yet most of it remains unknown.