In a captivating conversation with Prince William, Sir David Attenborough shared a terrifying personal story from the 1950s, revealing how he nearly drowned while testing a scuba-diving helmet during his groundbreaking 1957 dive at the Great Barrier Reef.

The 99-year-old broadcasting legend fondly recalled fitting an original Jacques-Yves Cousteau open-circuit scuba helmet. "It’s certainly a strange thing to do," he said, prompting laughter from Prince William, who warned, "Don’t do that, David; you won’t get it off!" Attenborough, managing to free himself from the helmet, recounted his shock as water engulfed him while wearing it.

"When I put mine on for the first time, I suddenly felt water coming around my chin and up over my mouth. I thought, ‘This can’t be right!’ By the time it reached my nose, I was certain something was wrong. You can’t breathe or even shout for help!"

Attenborough humorously described how a skeptical director of operations put on the faulty helmet himself, only to emerge from the water even faster than Attenborough had. The incident highlights not just the dangers of early diving technology, but also Attenborough's pioneering spirit in exploring the unknown.

His latest documentary, "Ocean," explores the grave losses our oceans face today and will stream globally on June 8, coinciding with World Oceans Day. In the film, Attenborough reflects on how, during his early dives, humanity knew little about the underwater world's wonders.

However, he warns that the realities now are grim, as coral reefs suffer dramatically from human activity and climate change. "The awful thing is that it’s hidden from most people," he lamented, noting the devastation of the deep ocean floor.

Prince William engaged Attenborough, asking about the current state of our oceans, to which Attenborough replied, "If anything can shift public awareness, it’s this film. We must recognize that something must be done before we destroy this great treasure." He remains hopeful that the next generation will be inspired to take action.

The Duke of Cambridge echoed this sentiment, emphasizing optimism about ocean recovery, crucial for stabilizing our climate and ensuring a healthier planet. "This could be an exciting time for the next generation; they can become greater explorers and gather more data," he suggested. Attenborough agreed, reinforcing the need for vigilance and care for our oceans.