Everything to know about the real-life diver who survived 30 minutes underwater without oxygen.
Mark Cassar/FOCUS FEATURES; Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Warning: This story contains spoilers forLast Breath.
The only thing more shocking thanLast Breath’s ending is that it’s all true.
Finn Cole in ‘Last Breath,’ the real Chris Lemons.Credit:Mark Cassar/FOCUS FEATURES; Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.
The boat drifted from its position, dragging Lemons and his diving bell along with it.
Even more baffling: Lemons went back to work just three weeks later!
The real Chris Lemons.Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Wondering how any of this could be true?
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Is Chris Lemons still alive and diving?
Yes, he’s still alive, but he no longer dives.
Finn Cole, ‘Last Breath’.Courtesy of Focus Features
According to the director, the real-life Lemons “loves” the movie about his near-death experience.
“He saw the film a couple of days ago,” Parkinson says.
How long did he go without oxygen?
Woody Harrelson, ‘Last Breath’.Courtesy of Focus Features
No one knows exactly.
But there’s no way he had more than 10 minutes.
How did he survive for so long?
Simu Liu, ‘Last Breath’.Courtesy of Focus Features
Again, no one knows!
It’s a question puzzling doctors, scientists, and even Lemons himself.
“Maybe the pressure as well, but no one actually knows, and that’s the incredible thing.
Did he really return to diving only three weeks after the accident?
“That’s absolutely 100 percent true,” Parkinson says.
“It’s all about getting back on that horse.
He just wanted to return to the job to finish what he started.
“He was so committed and loved diving so much,” Parkinson says.
It shows you how much these people love what they do.”
Courtesy of Focus Features
Did he go the hospital after his accident?
But Parkinson says he chose not to show that part of the story in the movie.
Then, he went to the hospital for a full check-up.
Did he really not suffer any negative side effects from the lack of oxygen?
As hard as it is to believe, no!
That moment in the movie plays out exactly as it did in real life.
“The line he said, ‘Are you okay, Dave?
What’s happened?’
That actually happened,” Parkinson reveals.
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What does Lemons remember from the half hour he was stranded?
But he didn’t have a flare to light his way as he does in the movie.
Once he got back to the manifold, he only remembers what happened up until he lost consciousness.
This is my last breath.'
And from then on, he doesn’t remember anything,” Parkinson says.
Was any real footage from the accident used in the movie?
Yes and not just in the credits montage.
“It just felt right to use that.
The whole documentary was sold on that footage so chilling to look at.
Did he really give a shot to avoid telling his fiance about his involvement in the accident?
“That’s 100 percent true,” Parkinson confirms.
And just like in the movie, she immediately knew he was fibbing.
How much money do saturation divers make for risking their lives?
“It is a high-paying job,” Parkinson says.
Surprisingly, not too bad.
“They’re very meticulous about all that kind of stuff,” Parkinson says.
“You don’t want to have somebody smelling in that environment.
Was this Lemons' first brush with death?
Again, surprisingly no!
It’s quite funny, it always revolves around water or breathing.”
How did this accident change his life?
It really didn’t, according to the director.
For Lemons, ignorance is bliss.
“I think he would agree with that,” Parkinson says with a laugh.
