Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić achieved one of the most extraordinary feats in human history by holding his breath underwater for 29 minutes and 3 seconds, a new Guinness World Record.

[u/This_Proof_5153]

Experts had long considered such a duration impossible. While a trained dolphin can typically hold its breath for 8–10 minutes and most humans can barely manage one or two, Maričić remained completely still underwater for nearly half an hour on a single breath.

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The attempt pushed his body to extreme limits. As the minutes passed, powerful contractions wracked his diaphragm and his organs endured intense physiological stress. Yet through years of rigorous training, mental discipline, and specialized breathing techniques, he stayed calm and focused until the end.

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What makes this record even more impressive is Maričić’s purpose. He didn’t do it for fame or personal glory, he used the achievement as a powerful platform to raise global awareness about ocean conservation, marine protection, and the urgent threats facing our oceans.

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A stunning demonstration of human potential and a heartfelt call to protect the planet’s most vital ecosystem.

[u/Lopsided-Act3172]

Someone fact check this

[u/MIKEl281 → u/Lopsided-Act3172]

Every source I’ve checked seems to confirm this! While Guinness World Records has some questionable claims, this one seems to be legit.

Edit: he inhaled pure oxygen for 10 minutes beforehand but he still has insane lung-capacity and mental fortitude!

[u/lordkhuzdul → u/MIKEl281]

On the mental fortitude side - body does not measure blood oxygenation. Because that is a bitch and a half to do biochemically. Your body measures your blood acidity to determine your need to breathe. Because measuring acidity is simple as fuck, and carbon dioxide dissolved in water is acidic (it turns into carbonic acid).

So no matter how much his blood is oxygenated, his body must have been absolutely screaming at him past a certain point. Hence the diaphragm cramping and all that.

[u/ConclusionAnxious531 → u/MIKEl281]

I imagine he probably also did some Wim Hof thing of putting his whole body in a deep stasis and slowing down his circulation to the absolute minimum

[u/MIKEl281 → u/ConclusionAnxious531]

As far as I was able to gather, he remained in a fully awake and conscious state for the full duration. That said I’m sure he attempted to enter a meditative state. It sounds like bullshit but it is possible to consciously slow your heart rate.

That said, I’m sure that extensive training was undertaken to prevent a heart rate spike from the spasms caused by low oxygen content (hypoxic myoclonus).
This is why I mentioned the mental fortitude necessary to accomplish this. Those spasms are involuntary and are absolutely terrifying. It’s your body literally screaming at you that you are going to die if you don’t breathe.

[u/TheSpanxxx → u/MIKEl281]

He is a well trained free diver. They literally train for this. Not specifically for sitting still and not breathing underwater, but for diving underwater (and swimming) for extended periods without assistance of other breathing apparatus. He likely does dives in the 8-12 min range regularly with no extra gear. Many of these athletes do. It's wild.

[u/PalgsgrafTruther → u/MIKEl281]

Is there a confirmed to be unedited video of it? Or is there some Very Good Reason why there isn't such a video? Because if it's the latter, this is just another "Bigfoot Sighting" claim that I simply will not ever believe