New Zealand swimmer Kim Chambers conquers the Dead Sea

A Kiwi marathon swimmer has set a world record as part of a group who became the first people to swim across the Dead Sea.

Kim Chambers, a former ballerina and rower, joined 27 other swimmers in the 16km swim in an effort to highlight the effect global warming is having on the Dead Sea.

After emerging from the sea Chambers said "it's such an emotional moment".

"It was teamwork at it's finest. This is what happens when you get 28 crazy people together who think it's a good idea to swim across the dead sea."

She told NZ Herald Focus from Tel Aviv, Israel that the Dead Sea is "definitely an environment for which humans are ill-equipped".

Kiwi Kim Chambers completed a seemingly impossible, historic swim across the Dead Sea. Photo / Supplied

"The water is 10 times saltier than the ocean and it is potentially fatal if ingested. I even got a drops of the water in my eye and it felt like an acid burn.

Chambers said the swimmers wore full facial masks, and she could still feel the effects of the salt water 40 hours later.

"I feel like a science experiment... it was a very strange experience, I feel like I've just come back from the moon.

Chambers said the swim aimed to create awareness of the impacts of climate change on the Dead Sea.

"This sea is depleting, it is shrinking by over a metre a year - this speaks volumes about climate change.

"I'm a Kiwi girl but this is important for all of us as global citizens to reach out ... and take action. Hopefully we have the world's attention on the Dead Sea right now."