The longest breath hold by Vitomir Maričić
Staying underwater for 29 minutes seems impossible. Learn how this freediver pushed his body to a physiological breaking point to set a world record.
The longest breath hold by Vitomir Maričić 베스트 인용
That desperate, burning urge to gasp for air? That’s not your brain saying 'we’re out of O2.' It’s actually triggered by the buildup of carbon dioxide, and elite freedivers train their brains to stay calm while the fire alarm is going off at full volume.
이 오디오 레슨은 BeFreed 커뮤니티 멤버가 만들었습니다
The history of the longest breath hold by Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić
자주 묻는 질문
Vitomir Maričić achieved this record using a specific technique called an oxygen-assisted breath-hold. Before submerging, he spent ten minutes inhaling pure oxygen, a process known as denitrogenation. This flushed the nitrogen out of his system and saturated his blood plasma and tissues with five times the normal amount of oxygen, creating an internal reservoir that his body could slowly consume while underwater.
The "panic" or burning urge to gasp for air is not actually triggered by a lack of oxygen, but by the buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the bloodstream. As cells burn oxygen, they produce CO2 as a waste product. When CO2 levels hit a certain threshold, sensors in the brain and throat signal the body to exhale and inhale. Elite freedivers must train their nervous systems to remain calm and ignore these "fire alarms" even as their diaphragms begin to contract involuntarily.
Pushing the body to a physiological breaking point can cause significant trauma. Maričić reported a "massive headache" and brain fog that lasted for two days following his 29-minute feat. More seriously, he experienced intestinal bleeding caused by the physical stress of hundreds of involuntary diaphragmatic contractions, where his body was essentially bruising itself from the inside while trying to force an inhalation.
When performing feats like his 300-kilogram underwater squat, Maričić utilizes the laws of physics to manage the load. Due to buoyancy, a steel barbell loses approximately 15 percent of its weight—about 40 kilograms—because of the volume of water it displaces. However, the diver must still contend with water resistance (drag) and the difficulty of maintaining balance in a low-gravity environment while deprived of oxygen.
Chunking is a psychological strategy Maričić uses to manage intense suffering by breaking time into tiny, manageable segments. Instead of focusing on the many minutes remaining in a dive, he asks himself if he can survive just ten more seconds or three more physical contractions. This mental technique shrinks the horizon of the challenge, making an overwhelming ordeal feel doable by focusing only on the immediate future.
더 알아보기
Marathon Swimming Strategy and Resilience
This plan is essential for swimmers transitioning from pool sprints to the grueling demands of open water marathons. It benefits endurance athletes and aspiring channel swimmers who need to master the intersection of metabolic science and psychological grit.
Breathing better
Proper breathing is a fundamental yet often overlooked pillar of health and peak performance. This plan is ideal for anyone from stressed professionals to elite athletes looking to unlock their full physical and mental potential.
The Bodybuilder's Guide to Mental Endurance
Bodybuilding is as much a mental challenge as a physical one, especially during grueling fat-loss phases. This guide is essential for athletes looking to master cognitive effort management and sustain the intensity needed to reach peak condition without burning out.
From Drowning to Deep Work
In an era of constant digital noise and increasing workloads, professionals often struggle to move beyond reactive tasks. This plan is designed for high-performers and knowledge workers who need to regain control over their schedules and master the art of sustained focus.
The Longevity Performance Protocol
This protocol is designed for high-performers and health-conscious individuals looking to extend their healthspan through science-backed interventions. It provides a comprehensive framework for anyone wanting to bridge the gap between basic wellness and elite biological optimization.
Break the Deadline Freeze
High-pressure environments often trigger a paralyzing 'freeze' response that stalls productivity when it's needed most. This plan is designed for professionals and students who struggle with procrastination and overwhelm, providing biological and structural strategies to regain control.
From Bracing to Breathing
This plan is essential for survivors of emotional abuse seeking to untangle their true identity from trauma-induced defense mechanisms. It is designed for anyone struggling with avoidant attachment or chronic hypervigilance who wants to restore a sense of safety and flow in their relationships.
How to not go blank under pressure
This plan is designed for professionals and performers who struggle with cognitive freezing during high-stakes moments. It provides a science-backed framework to transform stress into a competitive advantage by mastering mental clarity and flow.
샌프란시스코에서 컬럼비아 대학교 동문들이 만들었습니다
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
샌프란시스코에서 컬럼비아 대학교 동문들이 만들었습니다
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
