If it only takes 4 minutes without oxygen to cause brain damage, how can they stay underwater for 4+ minuets and not hurt themselves.
In: Biology
Free divers often purposefully hyperventilate before diving in order to fill their bloodsteam with as much oxygen as possible. This oxygen is then used by the brain to function.
Free divers also tend not to use a lot of muscular movement, which would result in the use of oxygen, some have reported that their limbs feel heavy or unuseable after a long while.
The brain, obviously, knows its not getting much oxygen, and it takes quite a bit of mental control to override the impulse to breathe, apparently.
It’s a trained skill and takes a lot of practice, I think.
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