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Family and friends gathered to witness the epic event. His aunt, Julie Kenly, of Hoboken, N.J., said she was on dive duty from 3-9 p.m. as one of Eells's safety divers. Safety divers rotated in six-hour shifts. Kevin's father, John, said Kevin was able to speak through a waterproof communication unit.
When asked how he feels, Kevin responded that not breathing out of a tank would be nice. He was equipped with the essential items of food and equipment. Pudding, powerbars and water was sent in camelbaks, plastic bags, and other assorted containers.
"I'm doing well. I thought I'd be more tired," Eells said at approximately 7 p.m. He said that he was preparing to sleep underwater for his first time ever.
Marsh Scuba, a local business, donated approximately 42 tanks of air.
John Eells, Kevin's father, said two safety divers are sons of the divemaster of Marsh. Eells said most of the equipment and food was donated, but that the family paid for PVC piping.
Around 7 p.m. Eells said nine tanks of air were used. He said a tank is used every two hours.
"He won't need to decompress because he's in less than 24 feet of water," said Eells.
Some of Kevin's family and friends expected Kevin to go to great depths and utilize his creative ingenuity to fundraise.
"Kevin came to me with this idea," said Eells, also an avid scuba diver. "I've gone down to visit him in the pool," he said.
"When I heard about Kevin's plan, I said, 'that sounds like Kevin,'" said George Long, a family friend from Stratham, N.H., who visited the Eells family during the event.
Kevin's family equipped him with games such as backgammon and Scrabble, in case he got bored underwater.
"The event spearheaded a whole week's worth of fundraisers for the Y.," said Eells. Kevin's 21-year-old brother, David, said Kevin is a live on the edge type of guy. David also said that Kevin's commitment as a volunteer fireman is proof that he is a risk taker.
Trish Fisher, chief operating officer for the Dutchess Y, said Kevin stayed in one extra minute on Sunday morning, to make sure he had in the full 24 hours. Fisher said Kevin's hands were in bad shape. He was tired and wobbly, but he was proud of himself. She said that the last count of donations made to support the Y reached $3,000 but people are still donating.
"We're doing a walkathon for after school programs. There was a volleyballathon and a rowathon," said Fisher. She also said the Y coordinates after-school programs as well.
Fisher said at three in the morning she wrote to Kevin on a slate that read 'you're awesome,' and he wrote in reply, 'you're awesome.'
Eells said he got about three hours of sleep underwater, consumed Gatorade, juices and water, but didn't eat a lot.
"I slept for like five hours when I got home," he said.
The snow day off from Millbrook High School last Monday also helped Eells recover.
