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Mammalian Diving Reflex Experiment

Activity

Adapting to Underwater Life

Find out about the Mammalian Diving Reflex and how long different species, including humans, can hold their breath. How long can you hold your breath on land?

Science Seed

The mammalian diving reflex is inherent to all humans as an adaptation left over from the time when life developed in the oceans. It occurs when a mammal’s face is submerged in cool water. Breathing automatically stops, heart rate is reduced to conserve oxygen, blood vessels to the extremities narrow, blood is shunted to vital organs, and the spleen contracts to push extra stored blood into the body. Freedivers learn to utilize the mammalian diving reflex to extend their time under water. *This takes a lot of training because extreme breath-holding in water is dangerous and should only be done by trained free divers. Shallow water blackout can occur even when practicing breath-holding in a bathtub. Only practice holding your breath on dry land sitting down in a safe location.*

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