### Sir David Attenborough Reveals Near-Drowning Incident While Promoting New Ocean Documentary

Sir David Attenborough has recounted a harrowing near-drowning experience from 1957 during a conversation with Prince William. This revelation came as the esteemed broadcaster discussed his latest documentary, "Ocean," with the Prince of Wales.

At 99 years old, Attenborough nostalgically tried on an original version of Jacques-Yves Cousteau's open-circuit scuba helmet, reminiscent of the one he used during his first dive on the Great Barrier Reef. "It's certainly a strange thing to do," remarked Attenborough, prompting Prince William to jokingly caution, "Don't do that, David. You won't get it off."

Successfully removing the helmet, Attenborough recalled the terrifying ordeal. "When I put mine on for the first time, I suddenly felt water coming around my chin and up over my mouth," he shared. Realizing the water was not supposed to rise inside the helmet, he tried to signal for help but found himself unable to breathe or be heard due to the equipment malfunction. "The director of operations didn't believe me," Attenborough said, adding a note of satisfaction that the skeptical director experienced the same issue, validating his concern.

Attenborough’s new documentary special, "Ocean," produced by National Geographic, aims to highlight the significant loss of marine life, compounded by human activities. The documentary is set to stream globally on June 8, coinciding with World Ocean's Day. In a preview shared by Kensington Palace's social media platforms, the Prince of Wales inquired about the current state of the oceans.

"The awful thing is that it's hidden from you and me and most people," Attenborough replied. He expressed his shock at the severe damage done to the deep ocean floor—destruction that would provoke widespread outrage if it occurred on land. Attenborough emphasized the importance of raising public awareness, hoping the film will inspire recognition of the need for urgent action to protect the oceans, which he considers a "great treasure."

In their dialogue, Prince William and Attenborough discussed the broader significance of "Ocean," expressing hope for a renewed sense of optimism and commitment toward ocean conservation. Prince William suggested that the documentary could spark an era of exploration and data collection by the next generation, envisioning the next 50 years as a period of remarkable discovery and environmental stewardship.

Attenborough confirmed this optimistic outlook, sharing his belief that documentaries like "Ocean" have the power to reach families in their homes, potentially sparking a global movement to save the world’s oceans for future generations.