How to Train to Hold Your Breath Longer Safely: A Brief Overview
The human body needs oxygen at all times. When it gets too low, the brain signals the heart to pump blood around until it reaches enough oxygen levels again. If you don’t have access to air, or if you are not used to breathing water, then your lungs will start shutting down and eventually stop altogether when they become damaged from lack of oxygen.
A common way to keep yourself alive underwater is by using a mask with a mouthpiece attached. You put your face into the mouthpiece and breathe through it. This method works well for divers who are experienced and comfortable with it, but it isn’t always ideal for beginners who may not be able to handle the pressure changes involved in diving underwater without a mask.
Another option is to use a device called an “air tank”. These devices are essentially small tanks filled with compressed air. They allow you to stay underwater for extended periods of time without having to wear a mask. Air tanks come in different sizes and configurations, so there is something suitable for everyone.
How Long Can You Hold Your Breath for?
Most people can only hold their breath for a few minutes at most. If you are at the pool and need to make a save, then it can be far less than that. The average person can hold their breath for about 1-3 minutes before the body starts shutting down. This is due to the fact that the body needs oxygen on a regular basis to operate.
In some cases, people are able to “hold their breath” without actually putting themselves in danger. This is because the body can be trained to hold out for longer when necessary. Underwater swimming is a great way of training your body to become accustomed to holding its breath under pressure.
How Long Can You Hold Your Breath For Freediving?
This depends on a number of different factors. The most important factor is how much training you have as a freediver. If you are just a beginner, then you may only be able to hold your breath for a few minutes at most, or you could even struggle to get past 15 seconds without struggling. If you are a professional and have years of experience behind you, you could easily extend this time to several minutes or even an hour if necessary!
Other factors that can affect the length of time you can hold your breath for include your experience, gender and body weight. Men typically have a higher lung capacity than women, so they are able to hold their breath for longer. Other sports such as swimming are also good for increasing lung capacity and holding breath ability.
When Should You Hold Your Breath Underwater?
There are a number of different reasons why you might need to hold your breath underwater. This can include swimming underwater to reach an island or treasure chest, holding your breath while swimming in a stream or river, or even as a method of self defense when attacked by sea creatures. No matter what, it is always best to tread water if you aren’t a strong swimmer since this helps to keep the body afloat.
How Long Can You Hold Your Breath on Land?
This really depends on how fit you are and the type of terrain you are standing on. If you are in good shape and running across a flat piece of land, then it is possible that you could hold your breath for up to 2 or 3 minutes. If you are climbing a mountain or running up a steep hill, then this time will be significantly lower. The human body needs oxygen to survive, so if you are exerting yourself to the extreme, then it is unlikely that you will be able to hold your breath for more than 30 seconds.
Holding Your Breath While Running
While running, it is possible to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds. This depends on how fit you are and whether you are running on flat ground or uphill. If you are running downhill, then you might be able to extend this to a minute since the body is in less danger of wearing itself out.
Holding Your Breath While Swimming
This all depends on how long you can comfortably swim underwater for. If you are a strong swimmer, then you should be able to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds. If you are a weak swimmer then this may be half of that time. Remember, you also need to account for the time it takes you to reach underwater! Plus, if you are trying to swim to safety rather than just underwater, then this will take up more of your air supply and time.
Holding Your Breath While Climbing a Mountain
This is similar in concept to running up a mountain, except you will probably be using your arms a lot more. This means that your breathing will be restricted even more so than before. Again, if you are climbing a mountain or large hill that is steep but short, then you might be able to hold your breath for up to a minute. If it is longer than this and particularly steep, then you might struggle to make it to 15 seconds.
Sources & references used in this article:
Do (n’t) hold your breath: rules, trust, and the human at the keyboard by IB Jones – New Review of Film and Television Studies, 2018 – Taylor & Francis
Safe patients, smart hospitals: how one doctor’s checklist can help us change health care from the inside out by P Pronovost, E Vohr – 2010 – books.google.com
Better hold your breath: London’s killer air by T Pultarova – Engineering & Technology, 2017 – IET
Don’t Hold Your Breath: Kansas’s Criminal Refusal Law Is on a Collision Course with the US Constitution by TA Locke – Washburn LJ, 2012 – HeinOnline
Working safe: How to help people actively care for health and safety by ES Geller – 2001 – books.google.com
How long can you hold your breath? by F LeRoy – 2017 – digitalcommons.risd.edu
Neuroscience and Politics: Do Not Hold Your Breath by J Slaby – Image, 2015 – e-ir.info
Risk: A practical guide for deciding what’s really safe and what’s dangerous in the world around you by D Ropeik, GM Gray – 2002 – books.google.com
A PROPOSED 60 SECOND LIMI T FOR BREATH-HOLD DIVING by CFK Butler, USNC Surgeon – BREATH-HOLD DIVING, 2006 – drivehq.com
