The average person can hold their breath for about 30 to 90 seconds before needing to breathe again
. Most healthy adults without lung problems or smoking habits typically fall within this range, though some studies suggest a typical breath-hold time closer to 30 to 60 seconds at rest
. With practice and training, such as that done by free divers, swimmers, or professional athletes, this duration can be extended significantly, sometimes to several minutes
. For example, trained individuals can hold their breath for 3 to 5 minutes, and world record holders have managed over 20 minutes by breathing pure oxygen before the attempt
. In summary:
- Average untrained person: 30 to 90 seconds
- Healthy trained individuals: 3 to 5 minutes or more
- World record (with pure oxygen): Over 24 minutes
Holding breath times vary due to factors like lung capacity, health, smoking status, and training
. It is important to practice safely and avoid breath-holding underwater without supervision due to risks like fainting or drowning
