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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Greg Evans

David Attenborough came close to drowning due to faulty 1950s scuba diving equipment

Sir David Attenborough has revealed that he almost drowned when testing a scuba-diving outfit in the Great Barrier Reef in 1957.

The broadcasting veteran and environmentalist was recorded speaking to Prince William at the Royal Festival Hall in May about his new documentary, Ocean. During the event, he was presented with an original version of an open-circuit scuba helmet, popularised by the French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

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