How long can you hold your breath?

[Francisco]

Seems that people in good health can hold their breath for btween 30 secs to 2 minutes!! (Sharklady Diving School)

I am in good health but after one or two practices can only manage maximum 1 min 10 secs!!

Standing in front of a clock with a second hand...what can you do? BTW I am 73.

[wendy]

I cant believe I have done this but I can only do 22 seconds, but I am old and have asthma

[Francisco]

...What about the rest of you...? How healthy are we...? How often do we check?

I have done it, Wendy has too...come on Grahem Knight, JamesB, Stowie, Gem, freddo, korean ken, brunski, admin, orangepicker, admin, stebel, lucindaC....

Have we ever thought about it....maybe it will tell us something....?.
,

[Wingnut]

This can be very dangerous if holding your breath underwater in a swimming pool.
You might not be daft enough yourself, but should be aware if hosting youngsters during the swimming season as it may be a fairly common "dare" that kids get up to.
The problem arises through over breathing before the breath holding attempt. You cannot increase the Oxygen stored in the blood as it is generally at full capacity. What it does do is to reduce CO2 levels. It is build up of CO2 in the blood that makes you desperate to take a breath. Before that happens your Oxygen level has dropped sufficiently to cause blackout. So while under water your body forces a breath which results in drowning. Google "shallow water blackout" for a full explanation and an insight to the number of deaths caused in this way.
Also, even if not in a pool and you are in a standing position when you pass out this also may not be good for you.

[Francisco]

Thanks, wingnut...and in the kitchen ,in front of the clock.?.

How did you do?

[stowie39]

Don't believe I'm doing however

55s was my effort. 71 years old non smoker, bit overweight in case they are factors

[LucindaC]

Not sure this will take off like the ice bucket challenge.

My best attempt out of 3 was 1m23s. Found it easier not to clock watch and concentrate on something else until I couldn´t hold my breath any longer and faced the clock.

[Carl]

Seems that people in good health can hold their breath for btween 30 secs to 2 minutes!! (Sharklady Diving School)

If you last longer than 2 minutes does that mean you have just damaged your health ?

[freddo]

the secret is not holding your breath but seeing how long you can last without taking a breath you release a little by little you will be surprised how long you can last

[Francisco]

Not sure this will take off like the ice bucket challenge.

My best attempt out of 3 was 1m23s. Found it easier not to clock watch and concentrate on something else until I couldn´t hold my breath any longer and faced the clock.

I am jealous of that, LucindaC...presumably you are youngish, non smoker and keep yourself fit?