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

Along with the other answers, a lot of free divers will breathe pure oxygen prior to immersion, this fully oxygenates the blood. The downside is that when hyperventilate you eliminate co2, go too far and you lose the trigger to breathe