Breath Holding Underwater

Breath holding underwater is an unnatural act for a human being to carry out. That is why some people find it difficult and even stressful.

The human body has several responses to breath holding and some additional responses to being submerged in water. It is how we deal with these responses that determine how comfortable or uncomfortable we are and therefore what duration of time we are able to spend underwater whilst holding our breath.

Firstly, the amount of air we are able to inhale into our lungs depends on the size of our lungs. Sounds obvious but a taller person will have larger lungs, and therefore will be able fill them with more oxygen and remain underwater for longer.

Whilst we are holding our breath, the amount of oxygen in our lungs decreases as it is carried away in the blood stream and used, and the amount of carbon dioxide increases. Carbon dioxide is a waste product and when a certain level is reached a signal is sent to the brain to tell you to breath again.

Changes in heart rate occur whilst breath holding and the more relaxed a person is, the slower they consume oxygen and therefore the longer they can remain holding their breath.

Submerging under the water brings about its own stresses, especially for a beginner learning how to submerge. The experience can be made easier by wearing goggles or a mask so that the eyes can remain open, giving the person an awareness of their surroundings and therefore keeping them in a relaxed state.

Relaxation underwater is governed mainly by a slow heart rate. As heart rate increases so does oxygen consumption and therefore levels of stress and anxiety. Movement of any part of the body will increase heart rate and with it oxygen consumption.

Breath holding underwater is made easier by slowly breathing out short bursts of air. This expels carbon dioxide, reducing the amount present in the lungs. This then delays the trigger to breath.

The key to successfully holding your breath underwater is relaxation.

Breath holding underwater for beginners starts with learning to submerge, click here.

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