- #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.
I was very doubtful at first, also because he is a magician. But it seems that this is not his first attempt at all. Besides, you must realize that he took pure oxigen for about half an hour before. So this does not compare to other records without such pure oxygen taking, which are limited to less than 8 minutes (different world record).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.
http://www.pennfans.net/view/Audio_Archive/PennRadio/The.Penn.Jillette.Radio.Show.2006.05.08/sadly the link leads to nothing connected to Blaine or I missed it.
I am not sure how credible it is, but one example:Can those claiming that others have reached 16 min before support that with any sort of credible reference?
You raise an interesting point there MB. Okay, I am going to make an attempt to be a biologist, but forgive me if it goes horribly wrong!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?
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. Just because someone is holding their breath doesn't mean their brain is being deprived of oxygen. If that were true, you'd pass out within 2 or 3 seconds of holding your breath.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.
No, it's not from when the heart stops beating, but from when breathing ceases...for example, time underwater in a drowning case. Granted, there may be some leeway for air in the lungs vs lungs depleted of air, but it does not require the heart be stopped.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.
You can't be serious. If the heart isn't beating, how do you expect oxygenated blood to reach the brain?No, it's not from when the heart stops beating, but from when breathing ceases.
Of course if the heart isn't beating, oxygenated blood isn't reaching the brain...that's not the point I was making. You were arguing that the heart not beating is the requirement...I'm pointing out that NOT BREATHING is sufficient, it doesn't require going so far as the heart not beating. If the heart is not beating, it's a given that breathing is not occurring, but the converse is not true. One can cease breathing while the heart continues to beat, yet the blood is not being oxygenated, so while blood is reaching the brain, oxygen is not.You can't be serious. If the heart isn't beating, how do you expect oxygenated blood to reach the brain?
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.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?
I know what youre referring to, Ive seen that video of the mouse on the Science channel :) The thing about that however is that I remember the mouse having to take rather strong breaths to force the liquid into and out of its lungs. If that was the case here wouldnt we see his diaphragm working extra hard?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.