What is the world’s record for the longest time someone has held their breath underwater?
The world’s record for the longest time someone has held their breath underwater, using oxygen pre-breathing, is 29 minutes and 3 seconds, set by Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić. This astonishing feat, recognized by Guinness World Records, was achieved on June 14, 2025. This specific category allows for a period of breathing pure oxygen before the actual breath-hold begins, which significantly saturates the blood and tissues with oxygen, extending the time a person can remain submerged.
For context, there’s a distinction between records set with oxygen pre-breathing and those without. The record for static apnea (holding one’s breath underwater) without oxygen pre-breathing, which is recognized by organizations like AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea), is significantly shorter. The AIDA men’s world record for static apnea (holding breath on air) is 11 minutes and 35 seconds, set by Frenchman Stéphane Mifsud in 2009.
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