How is it possible for some humans to hold their breath for +6 minutes, when the average human can only hold it for app. 1 minute?

Question

I was watching this documentary on free diving, and was wondering how it was possible for these guys to hold their breath for so long compared to every one else

In: 542

Answer 1

Practice and technique. If you just hold your breath impromptu you might not last more than even 15 seconds, but even with just a bit of technique I could persoally do 4 minutes under water after a few tries.

Probably also some lucky genetics involved, as other people have said, some use O2 tanks