Camilla Jessen
Croatian holds his breath for 29 minutes.
With pure oxygen, mental mastery, and extreme discipline, Vitomir Maričić held his breath for over 29 minutes.
29 Minutes Without Air
Vitomir Maričić, a seasoned freediver from Croatia, has shattered the world record for oxygen-assisted static apnea by holding his breath for 29 minutes and 3 seconds.
The attempt took place at the bottom of a 3-meter-deep pool and surpassed the previous record by a full five minutes, according to Oddity Central.
From Ordinary to Extraordinary
While most people begin to panic after just one minute without air, professional freedivers train their bodies and minds for years to survive prolonged breath-holding.
Maričić is no exception.
He has spent much of his life honing this skill through physical training and mental discipline.
What It Takes to Hold Your Breath for Half an Hour
To achieve a feat like this, freedivers rely on a combination of techniques:
- Diaphragmatic breathing to maximize lung capacity
- Cardiovascular training to strengthen the heart
- Relaxation and meditation to lower oxygen consumption
This combination allows the body to function efficiently on extremely low oxygen levels.
“It Got Worse Physically, But Easier Mentally”
After completing the record dive, Maričić described the internal struggle:
“Physically, it got worse and worse, especially because of the diaphragm contractions,” he said. “But mentally, I knew I wouldn’t give up. After the 20-minute mark, it even became easier in my head.”
The contractions he referred to are involuntary spasms that occur as CO₂ builds up in the blood, a natural urge that forces most people to breathe.
Trained divers learn to withstand and control these reflexes.
Meditation
Many elite freedivers rely on meditation to suppress stress, fear, and the powerful urge to breathe.
Remaining calm under intense pressure reduces oxygen consumption, which becomes critical during long underwater sessions.
The Role of Pure Oxygen
Maričić prepared for the attempt by breathing pure oxygen for 10 minutes, which significantly boosted his blood’s oxygen content.
Under these conditions, he was able to stretch his breath-hold time from his typical 8–10 minutes to nearly 30 minutes.
This oxygen-assisted category is separate from traditional freediving records, but it still requires immense control and carries serious risk.
A Dangerous Balance
Breathing pure oxygen is not without danger.
Prolonged exposure can cause oxygen toxicity, which may lead to seizures or even death.
Maričić was fully aware of these risks and managed them carefully throughout the record attempt.
Croatia: A Freediving Powerhouse
Maričić’s achievement cements Croatia’s growing reputation in the world of freediving.
The previous world record holder, Budimir Šobat—also Croatian—set the mark in 2021, making the country a recognized hub for elite apnea athletes.
A Record for the History Books
On June 14, 2025, Vitomir Maričić redefined the limits of human endurance.
With his 29-minute and 3-second breath-hold, he didn’t just break a record—he redefined what the human body and mind can achieve under extreme conditions.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
