Freediver Sets New Record with 29-Minute Underwater Breath Hold
On June 14, 2025, Vitomir Maričić plunged into a three-meter-deep swimming pool in Opatija, Croatia. He swiftly positioned himself at the bottom of the pool, staying there for an incredible 29 minutes and three seconds. When he finally surfaced, he had officially surpassed the world record for the longest voluntarily held breath by almost five minutes.
Typically, a person can hold their breath for around 30 to 90 seconds. At just over 29 minutes, Maričić’s record exceeds the upper limit of that range by more than 20 times. He even succeeded in holding his breath for double the time of a bottlenose dolphin. But how did the Croatian freediver achieve such a remarkable feat?
Firstly, Maričić breathed in pure, 100% oxygen for a complete ten minutes before entering the pool. The air we normally inhale contains only about 21% oxygen, and Maričić effectively bypassed this limitation through oxygen assistance, a tactic authorized by Guinness World Records. This ultimately “supercharged” his bloodstream, dissolving oxygen not only in his red blood cells but also in his plasma. In a recent Instagram post, Maričić elaborated that he began his dive with roughly five times the usual amount of oxygen in his body.
Not to overlook, Maričić also underwent physical preparation for his record-setting attempt. Without oxygen assistance, Maričić’s breath-holding record stands at an impressive 10 minutes and eight seconds, supported by cardiovascular training that enhances heart rate, breathing, and overall blood circulation. Diaphragmatic breathing practices also boost the amount of oxygen that can be retained in the lungs. Indeed, many freedivers train to master their diaphragm and throat muscles to shift stored oxygen from their lungs to their airways, optimizing oxygen absorption into the bloodstream.
Consider as well the powerful urge to take a deep, refreshing breath. That instinct isn’t linked to low oxygen, but rather to elevated carbon dioxide, which can only be expelled from our bodies by exhaling. Freedivers routinely practice breath-holding to acclimate to these increased levels of carbon dioxide, postponing that automatic response. It’s a physical—and even mental—challenge that can be remarkably tough to combat.
“After the 20-minute mark, everything got easier, at least in my mind,” Maričić shared with Divernet. “[The experience] became increasingly difficult physically, particularly for my diaphragm, due to the contractions. But in my mind, I was determined not to give up.”
Another Croatian freediver, Budimir Šobat, previously held the world record for voluntary breath-holding at 24 minutes and 37 seconds, set on March 27, 2021.
Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić maintained his breath underwater for 29 minutes and three seconds, breaking the former world record by nearly five minutes.