It is true.

The suit itself is fiction. The liquid isn't. It's called perfluorocarbon and is currently undergoing some clinical trials for a variety of uses not just limited to what you see in the movie. It's also being looked into as a blood substitute. Researchers have actually immersed test animals ( rodents and now dogs) and have had some limited success with the animals "breathing" for time, then draining their lungs with minimal damage. Perfluorocarbon is also being used in an aerosol version on humans hooked up to ventilators. Not totally filling the lungs but instead as a vapor to help oxygen pass into the circulatory system and CO2 out, for people with damaged lungs.

At the time it was based on an actual substance which Scubabob has talked about. =) Very interesting stuff. That movie was the shit when it first came out.

I built the Deep Suit(s) that were used in the movie... The perfluorocarbon is very real, but the suit, was not (although, Ed probably wished it was, because he did every single take with a helmet full of water - Initially, Mel Gibson was being considered for the role, and Cameron wanted to see his hair floating in the liquid; something that was "lost" with Ed assuming the role). If I remember correctly (its been so long, I may be sketchy) I believe James Cameron told me that the inventor (whose name escapes me) actually underwent having it put into one of his lungs - it worked - but, he soonthereafter died from complications from pneumonia... The jury is still out on whether or not it was due to old age, or the fluid, or both... James Cameron did have the fluid, on set. In fact, he used it in the film, when the Seal demonstrates it on the rat. If you watch the film, you will note that the camera does not cut away, and the rat breathes the fluid into its lungs, and lives to see another day. We didn't even use a stunt rat! (In fact, I believe the rat lived for a while after production wrapped). Just happened across this page and thought I would share what I know (or what I remember). Michael Hood

Yes, I do - Not restricted to Motion Pictures... It was a "pipe dream" of mine, too, when I was a kid, in KY. I came to LA on vacation, with a hundred bucks in my pocket and a suitcase full of clothes. I was determined to work in the movie [FX] industry, and decided to stay and give it a shot, much to my Mother's despair... Would I do it again? Not knowing what I know now, in terms of what a HUGE and STUPID risk (my Mother's instincts were correct) I was taking... Fortunately, I had luck and common sense on my side, and never encountered a 'bad situation.' I even managed to start and run my own FX company, which I had for over 10 years. I consider myself VERY lucky. There are plenty of people for whom this industry has not been so kind, some have probably even wound up on the streets. I've done/still do Props, Costumes, Miniatures, Make-up FX, Themed Attraction Design/Development. I've since closed down my business (the overhead and risk was nerve-racking) and I now concentrate on doing Animation and Web-based Application Development (where my overhead is my desktop/laptop computer)... :-) Michael Hood

This is kinda going off topic a bit (is that okay?) Each person's talent(s), opportunities & experience(s) are as different as DNA, & there is no set "formula" for getting work in the industry. That said, here are some suggestions for you to help you succeed (these are things I have done, myself, heard of other people doing, or suggested to others to try - all of which worked!) 1. Never give up. If you want it bad enough, you'll figure out a way to make it happen for you.. Never let anyone tell you that you can't. 2. Prepare yourself! Do what you can to get your hands on and to read about your craft! Technology is really making rapid advances this past 10-20 years (when I first started, I believe audio was still being recorded/mixed/cut on tape, and digital anything was just an idea) You should try to get access to and experience using software and other equipment that are standard to your trade. Keep up to date on the latest trends/software versions, etc. Attend industry-related conventions - I know they throw some big ones in the UK, call your chamber of commerce and ask them about when/where, etc) 3. Get involved with a local university's cinema program - you don't even need to be a student - most have bulletin boards where students post help wanted ads for their student projects. This is a good way to get some exposure on a set, to work with equipment, etc ,and is a great way to form a relationship with people who may become larger than life! (G. Lucas, S.Gannis, H.Kazanjian, F.Marshal all graduated from USC Cinema Program and continue to work together, today) Subscribe to an entertainment-related weekly ("Dramalogue" - is one we have in LA) - Often times, low budget film makers place ads for cheap or free help in these... 4, Always be ready to show what you CAN do. This is most important because opportunity does not wait for you, you have to be ready for it, when it hits! You never know when you will walk into the wrong office at the right time, or with whom you might share a plane/bus ride! ALWAYS keep a demo reel/contact info handy/in your car/backpack/briefcase at all times - trust me on this! Regarding your demo reel: NEVER use or try to emulate someone else's work - you will be slaughtered if caught stealing, and not taken seriously for trying to do something that's already been done by someone with all of the proper resources - just use your own work - That is to say, it's okay if you use sound fx libraries, if you are showing off your mixing skills, etc, just be clear on what is/is not your work. 5. Buy yourself a copy of the L.A. 411, and the Creative Industry Handbook - or similar industry directories/phone books- these are great resources for getting contact names/addresses/agents for individuals or recording studios. 6. Search the movie credits (IMDB,com makes this a breeze!) or trade magazines for names of your favorite sound engineer/designer/fx techs... Most of the major players probably belong to CAA (Creative Artist Agency - which also has an office there, in London) and write them a letter, compliment their work, express interest in working under them for cheap! Odds are that, because of their lack of general public notoriety, these guys will probably be listed in the telephone directory, and will even be flattered by your having contacted them - because, now, they'll have a fan club! (I suggested this to a friend who wanted to be a Cinematographer, but couldn't afford the school - it worked... Now he shoots commercials) 7. This is as important from the start as it is once you've made your mark... NEVER, EVER BURN A BRIDGE! I don't care how much crow you have to eat, or how bad it may hurt - even if you ARE right. I'm not suggesting you compromise your integrity/honesty, etc, just be careful not to offend anyone or cause anyone to speak poorly of you. Even if they are "just a production assistant" - I remember when, while working on THE ABYSS, a PA came to my shop to video tape progress with the helmet sculpture... Years later, while watching the credits at the end of TITANIC, I read his name and title... He was the 1st Unit Director!! Just remember... All of the heads you step on, on your way up the ladder, are the same ones you will pass, if/when you fall from the top! 8. Once you have finally put yourself into a position where you are calling the shots, or running a studio, or whatever, DO NOT FORGET YOUR ROOTS! When a snot-nosed kid comes to you, looking for his big break - if he's good, and if you have the means, put back into the system and hire him! By the way... Your age, if young, and inexperience COULD be a good thing! The younger, the better, because, and it's somewhat true, you can't teach an old dog new tricks... Also, it's more likely for someone to "take you under his wing" and teach you a craft/answer all of the stupid questions if you are young and less of a career threat while, if older, you may be expected to already know your way around the craft. I could probably write a book on this (hmmmmm I wonder...) I hope this is useful to you. :-) Good luck! Michael Hood

It already has happened, but not with humans as far as I know. Mice and rats have been able to breathe under water since the mid eighties. THey have the typical struggle for life - which must be worse than dying just the once - and in super oxygenated water, they finally discover they can breathe, so they relax and act normally. I do not remember what the chemical components were/are of the water. It isn't just oxygen. What a horrible experiment.

Yep true. No just other species have had to endure the horror of being submerged in the liquid oxygen.