And what about people like David Blaine or Tom Sietas? Sietas held his breath underwater for over 22 minutes (world record). I know they train for it like months and even years, but doesn’t holding your breath = no oxygen to brain?
Permanent brain damage apparently occurs just after 4 minutes of lack of oxygen to the brain, so why are freedivers left generally unscathed after 8 or 10 minutes without air?
In: Biology
Because all the oxygen in your blood isn’t used up immediately once you start holding your breath. Free divers train and perform exercises to increase their lung capacity and lower their heart rates so their bodies use up less oxygen.
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