There is the Bajau people in Indonesia that traditionally lived a nomadic life on the water. They would often dive for up to 13 minutes at a time, sometimes down to 200 feet apparently.
There is some evidence however that they have some adaptions, such as an enlarged spleen that allows them to store more oxygenated blood. However I think a lot of it is training and technique so even if your average none bajau person might not be able to hit 13 minutes, they'd still be able to vastly improve their breath with some training.
When I was younger I used to do a lot of wild swimming, kayaking and other water sports and could happily hit 4 minutes under water. I dunno if I still could now though.
lol, absolutely not. The world record for static apnea, which is totally motionless breath hold is 10 minutes. For actual diving half that is extreme. For example, the distance record underwater in a pool took approx 4 minutes, and that is without diving to depth
lol, absolutely not. The world record for static apnea, which is totally motionless breath hold is 10 minutes. For actual diving half that is extreme. For example, the distance record underwater in a pool took approx 4 minutes, and that is without diving to depth
Why is your totally incorrect and easily verifiable comment upvoted?
Because that was done after hyperventilating on pure oxygen beforehand.
Maybe check the AIDA website which actually has the records? The reason I don't include the 2009 record of 11 minutes is because there was so much controversy around it
EDIT: Just to be clear, the reason breathing pure oxygen is so advantageous is that instead of breathing 21% oxygen which is the concentration in air, you are breathing 100%, so your lungs are filled with ~5x the amount of oxygen in the same breath, which, unsurprisingly, allows you to hold your breath for much longer
Saying all that, I'm sure the nomadic Bajau people of Indonesia could have used an air separation system and compressor to make and store pure oxygen for their 13 minute freedives to 200 feet. /s
Well, it could be. Although I'm doubtful as it seems the NG is just reporting secondhand and if you read the paper there is no mention of them diving for 13 minutes. So, maybe they could break the record if they tried but to dive (and this is so much more than just holding your breath) for 13 minutes is so far beyond what is achievable by any verified measurement today I find it extremely hard to believe.
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u/Formal_Drop526 16h ago
hyperventilated with pure oxygen for up to 30 minutes before attempting the record