Stig Åvall Severinsen
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I hold the Guinness World Record for the longest breath hold of 22 minutes, AND for the longest freedive under ice on a single breath of air (236 feet) in speedos. My name is Stig Severinsen, I am a four time freediving world champion, and hold a ...
Comments: 4551 • Responses: 47 • Date:
30015
I just set the Guinness World Record for longest distance swim in the ocean on a single breath. I also hold the record for longest freedive under ice on a single breath in speedos and can hold my breath for 22 minutes. Ask me anything!
Comments: 1829 • Responses: 48 • Date:
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StigSeverinsen2852 karma
Ha ha...no my girlfriend loves that I can stay a long time under water under in the spa :-)
StigSeverinsen1826 karma
Yes...when I was young and stupid I did this. I also used to tell my classmates that I was "watching television" as I was laying on the bottom. However, NEVER do this in your local swimming pool because your lifeguard might not save you, and it is not his responsibility.
I come from a professional background of swimming, and have lost several friends from mistakes holding their breath alone. NEVER do any of this. A big mission of mine is to educate people around the world on these specific safety issues.
I have a book (Breatheology), where I talk a lot about safety, and first aid.
StigSeverinsen1730 karma
Good question!
Simple answer...
Hold your breath for 30 minutes. It is a sure cure, but I wouldn't recommend it. </s>
StigSeverinsen1644 karma
Well actually training for another world record in Hawaii I got into serious trouble because there was so much algae on the rope making it slippery (was doing a deep dive pulling with my hands down and up). About 130 feet below, I felt like my mind and body started to waver, and at that moment a school of dolphins swam right by me. This woke me up, and I swear I have never experienced anything like this in my life before - just as if the dolphins understood that I was in trouble. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life.
StigSeverinsen1474 karma
Not sure what you mean by this, but there's a driver in England who has a helmet on all the time, so of course he cannot breathe.
StigSeverinsen1083 karma
Actually no...I am from Denmark, but the responsibility of lifeguards is the same all around the world. I am also a lifeguard by education, and I can tell you that I know several sad stories where people have drowned even though lifeguards were on duty. This is because people put weights and go to the deep end of the pool, or cannot be seen because either light or reflection on the surface. This is why I always tell people to ONLY do freediving with professional assistants. It is not something to play around with, and you should never put that responsibility on a lifeguard. He is there to guard swimmers, not people doing silly things that are often not allowed in a swimming pool. Thank you for raising this important question. I am very concerned with safety, as I have seen and heard of too many young lives being lost. This is unbearably sad, and unnecessary.
StigSeverinsen1082 karma
The dives are done in normal temperature - not ice! Here is one dive of 22 min - I know it says icy water somewhere - some journalist must have misunderstood deeply;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqERqQj-ozc&list=LLBwjNsXVJH9hNuYmkfRA0_g&index=1596
StigSeverinsen981 karma
Hi there - The 22 min. was the official Guinness World Record - on this category you pre-oxygenize with 100% pure Oxygen. You can read more on the GWR webiste. All humans share The Mammalian Dive Response (MDR) and can learn to hold our breath longer, relax deeper and stay calm in stressful situations.
StigSeverinsen3309 karma
Yes, very correct...now more likely 9-10 min in training - but about half the time - this is correct. There ar emany disciplins and styles in freediving. Mainly about length, time and depth.
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