Most people can probably last a good 30 to 60 seconds on the average. I actually tried using a timer and forced myself to not breathe, I was able to beat 60 seconds - recorded a measly 61. LOL!
Most free divers are able to hold their breath for longer than a minute, the longest world record holder managed to hold his breath for a good 22 minutes in 2012. His name is Stig Severinsen a Danish Free Diver who accomplished this feat wallowing in the shallows of a London swimming pool.
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stig_Severinsen
Before attempting his record, Severinsen had to train his body to build up physical adaptation that helped him go long periods without breathing.
Some known facts:
- Breathing is normally involuntary. This means that unless under special circumstances like the air has higher than normal concentration of Carbon Dioxide, our breathing is involuntary.
- It is impossible to commit suicide by refusing to breathe. One can decide to not breathe, but the body will eventually win and will force you to breathe. Even if you have the willpower to really force yourself to stop breathing, you will eventually lose consciousness, and once unconscious, your body will start breathing again.
What happens when you hold your breath in seconds to minutes:
- 0:00 to 0:30 - This is the easy-peasy round. You feel relaxed as you tune out the world around you.
- 0:30 to 2:00 - You start feeling uncomfortable as pain builds in your lungs.
- 2:00 to 3:00 - Your stomach starts to rapidly convulse and contract as your diaphragm forces you to breathe.
- 3:00 to 5:00 - You'll begin to feel lightheaded.
- 5:00 to 6:00 - Your body will start to shake uncontrollably.
- 6:00 and longer - You'll be unconscious.
Holding your breath has its benefits:
- You'll live longer. Studies show that holding your breath can preserve the health of stem cells.
- There are also studies that show regeneration of new tissue of brains among salamanders.
- Increased resistance from bacterial infections
- Can help one be more relaxed.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/holding-your-breath#benefits
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