This is a video of Derek Muller of Veritasium discussing the mechanics of extreme breath holding while athlete Brandon Birchak is submerged in a tank of water the entire time, holding his breath for an astonishing 17 minutes (the world record is 24 minutes, 37 seconds). Damn! Five seconds and I get light headed and feel like I’m going to pass out. And often do.

People actually have a secret weapon when it comes to reducing oxygen consumption by virtue of our evolution. It’s called the mammalian dive reflex. … The trigeminal nerve in our face detects the coolness of the water and triggers a series of responses. The heart beats slower, decreasing the rate at which blood, and hence, oxygen, are circulated around the body. Our blood vessels in our extremities constrict, confining blood to our vital organs and brain, ensuring we have enough oxygen to stay conscious.

Now I’m not saying I’m SUPER EVOLVED, but I’m pretty sure I’ve evolved past the mammalian dive reflex. My dive reflex is less lower heart rate and oxygen circulation, and more thrashing wildly in the water. “Is dying really that evolved?” Death is the only great adventure I have left. “Did you just quote Hook?” Bangarang!