How to Improve Holding My Breath Under the Water

Breathing is the exchange of gases between the air and the cells of the body. The alveoli and capillaries in the lungs have a total surface area of 75 square meters through which oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide diffuses out of the bloodstream to be expelled. When you hold your breath, the carbon dioxide is not expelled. As the oxygen level in the body decreases, oxygen will be diverted from the extremities. The amount of time you can hold your breath is dependent on how efficient your body uses oxygen.

Instructions

    • 1

      Quit smoking. Smoking damages your lungs and decreases the amount of oxygen you can inhale with every breath. It also decreases the efficiency with which your body uses oxygen.

    • 2

      Lose weight to increase your body's oxygen efficiency. Excess weight requires more oxygen, so losing weight increases the time it takes your body to become oxygen deprived.

    • 3

      Get a partner. Holding your breath for extended periods of time can be dangerous. As oxygen levels decrease, the risks of losing consciousness increase.

    • 4

      Breathe slowly for two minutes before attempting to hold your breath to rid your lungs of low-quality air. Inhale for five seconds, then exhale for five seconds. Continue this for two minutes.

    • 5

      Inhale slowly, first from the diaphragm and then the chest. Do not completely fill your lungs. Only filling your lungs to slightly more than 75 percent capacity will allow you to relax your body and use oxygen more efficiently.

    • 6

      Relax your body completely. Movement requires oxygen. If you are under water, allow yourself to float at the top, face down.

    • 7

      Distract yourself using small movements. Small movements require little oxygen and take your mind off the task at hand.

    • 8

      Exhale to remove the carbon dioxide from your lungs, then take several deep breaths to replenish the body's oxygen supply.