{"id":23954,"date":"2023-02-08T18:00:13","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T17:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=1512"},"modified":"2023-02-08T18:35:22","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T17:35:22","slug":"whats-the-longest-a-human-can-hold-their-breath-underwater","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/whats-the-longest-a-human-can-hold-their-breath-underwater\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the longest a human can hold their breath underwater?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Breathe in! People can hold air in their lungs for a surprising length of time. <\/p>

By Alice Lipscombe-Southwell\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 08 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Asked by: Jason Woods, Dover <\/strong><\/p>\n

Without training, humans can manage about 30 to 90 seconds underwater before needing to take a breath. If we\u2019re swimming underwater, this figure may be much lower! On 27 March 2021, Croatia\u2019s Budimir \u0160obat achieved the world record for breath-holding underwater<\/a>, with a time of 24 minutes and 37 seconds. However, he breathed pure oxygen before immersion.<\/p>\n

Yet there is one group of sea-faring nomadic people called the Bajau who habitually spend minutes at a time underwater, at depths of up to 60 metres. They have lived on the waters off Southeast Asia for more than 1,000 years, and collect their food by freediving, without snorkels, fins or wetsuits.<\/p>\n

While they practise and train to perfect their skills, research published in the journal Cell<\/em> in 2018 found that the Bajau actually have physiological adaptations to help them dive better<\/a>. A key difference was that they have a DNA mutation for an enlarged spleen. In fact, the spleen was found to be up to 50 per cent larger in Bajau individuals, compared to a related group of people called the Salua, who live on the mainland.<\/p>\n

The spleen stores and filters blood, removing any damaged red blood cells, meaning that a larger spleen would provide a greater reservoir of oxygenated red blood cells.<\/p>\n

How can I hold my breath for longer?<\/h2>\n

For people who want to increase the amount of time that they can hold their breath, it is obviously safest to practise on land, from the comfort of your home. Take slow, calm breaths prior to a breath hold, rather than hyperventilating by breathing quickly in and out. As you hold your breath, try to relax your body and think of other things.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re ready to attempt breath holds in water, try just submerging yourself in a swimming pool while holding onto the side.<\/p>\n

If you are keen to approach the three-, four-, or even five-minute mark for holding your breath underwater, then there are courses run by freediving schools, where you can be trained to improve your skills in a safe environment.<\/p>\n

Read more about breathing:<\/strong><\/p>\n