29 minutes and 3 seconds underwater, without any breathing. This figure is not the statistics of a marine mammal, but of a man. Vitomir Maričić, Croatian apnee, exploded last June the record for static assisted by Oxygène, touching the finger at half an hour. A fish man, prepared for years. But how is it possible?
Pure oxygen support before the test
Knowing that the global record for classic static apnea among men has been detained since 2009 by the French Stéphane Mifsud, with 11 minutes 35 seconds, how to explain this crazy timing? In reality, in addition to mental preparation and a physique he knows by heart, the sportsman benefited here from an oxygen assistance. Maričić had inhaled pure oxygen for more than 10 minutes before diving under the water. Allows you to hold much longer.
“This practice is not comparable to classic apnea, where the athlete simply inspires ambient air containing 21% oxygen: here, the prior saturation of the oxygen body makes it possible to considerably increase the duration of apnea”, explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.
Breathing pure oxygen makes it possible to “load” the organism in oxygen, lungs, blood and tissues that can store much more with ordinary air. “”Thus, the critical threshold of hypoxia (drop in blood oxygen dangerous for the brain) is postponed, which explains much longer apnea (almost three times more than the classic record!). We are talking about preoxygenation. “
A practice that can quickly take water
However, if it is not exactly the same discipline, performance remains dangerous and difficult, however. And exceeds oxygen at 4 years ago for 5 minutes 4 years ago.
“The main danger does not come from the lack of oxygen, but from the accumulation of CO₂ which strongly stimulates breathing. After a long period without breathing, the rate of Co₂ goes up, causing contractions of the diaphragm and an extreme discomfort. The apneist must therefore be specially trained physically and mentally to resist these contractions”, continues our expert.
This technique must therefore remain exceptional: “Breathing pure oxygen can cause, if practiced for too long or too often, pulmonary or nervous lesions (” oxygen toxicity “). But used punctually and under medical control, it makes it possible to make extraordinary exploits.”
It is also necessarily supervised by strict medical control.
Can anyone get caught up in a dolphin?
As for whether Vitomir Maričić has an extraordinary capacity, or a good technique? Our doctor explains that training is not everything. “”Anyone can progress through training! But extreme durations depend on physiological and psychological personal factors that training alone is not always enough to match. “