- #1
Alfi
Is it physically possible to hold a breath that long?
and live?
David Blaine sets new record on Oprah. 17 min 4 secs.
I'm skeptical.
and live?
David Blaine sets new record on Oprah. 17 min 4 secs.
I'm skeptical.
Alfi said:If he wasn't known for his magic and his illusions, I would have less doubt.
17 min is a long time.
I've read up and it sure as hell seems legit, but I , ... damn that's a long time.
Alfi said:sadly the link leads to nothing connected to Blaine or I missed it.
Moonbear said:Can those claiming that others have reached 16 min before support that with any sort of credible reference?
Moonbear said:Considering that 5 min without breathing is the generally accepted cut off for high risk of brain death, 17 min without some trick seems highly implausible. David Blaine is a well-known illusionist, so there probably is some sort of trick to this (though I'm giving a big "ICK" to turbo's suggestion :rofl:). I tried watching for any signs of movement in the video clip, but it was rather short to determine (how many times did he raise his arms? I'm wondering if that was a cover for taking a breath).
Can those claiming that others have reached 16 min before support that with any sort of credible reference?
Moonbear said:Considering that 5 min without breathing is the generally accepted cut off for high risk of brain death, 17 min without some trick seems highly implausible.
Holocene said:That isn't true at all. The "5 minute" figure is in reference to the oxygen supply being cut off from the brain, such as when the heart stops beating.
Moonbear said:No, it's not from when the heart stops beating, but from when breathing ceases.
Holocene said:You can't be serious. If the heart isn't beating, how do you expect oxygenated blood to reach the brain?
_Mayday_ said:Would inhaling pure oxygen for half an hour alter the concentration of haemoglobin in the blood, or is this too short a period, maybe I am missing the point of the pure oxygen!? If so then would this not increase his ability to hold his breath?
C3H5N3O9 said:I strongly doubt that he legitimately held his breath for over 17 minutes. Navy Seals cannot come close to 17 minutes and they have incredibly rigorous training.
Maybe he used something like perfluorodecalin. (look for images and you can find a mouse breathing in the liquid)
Honestly, 17 minutes is way too long and we have to remember that he is a magician.
Greg Bernhardt said:Chris Angel says it's fake. Claims he did the trick several years ago and "held" his breath for 24hrs.
vanesch said:I think that what happens when you inhale pure oxygen for a certain time is that you saturate all of your tissues with oxygen. It might be that the stock of oxygen so accumulated can slowly get back in the blood during the dive.
I can assure you that breathing pure oxygen for a few minutes really gives you the ability to hold your breath "comfortably" for a longer time than usual, as long ago I tried this. As to whether this is just a suppression of your urge to breathe, or gives you the ability to keep it out any longer, I don't know.
Also, the problem I have with this kind of stunt, is: where does the CO2 go ?
Alfi said:Is it physically possible to hold a breath that long?
and live?
David Blaine sets new record on Oprah. 17 min 4 secs.
I'm skeptical.
maze said:Ok, I just tried this.