Bradley Simpson

Disclaimer: This is for reading entertainment only. Do not try any of this yourself!

I was a little skeptical after reading Tim Ferris’ blog that I would be able to hold my breath for a significantly longer period of time after simply completing a few breathing exercises.

How wrong I was.

Within a period of less than 10mins I went from being able to hold my breath for 1:02 to 3:31. During the purging (see definition below), and after about 1:30 of holding my breath, my fingers were seriously tingling, and then from about 3:00 on I felt like I was going to pass out…but I made it. Beating Harry Houdinis personal best, but falling 2 seconds short of Tim Ferris.

You can read the whole post here (including videos), or just read the protocol (breathing exercises) he used below:

Definitions:

Deep breathing: “Deep breathing” involves taking a big breath in through the mouth, holding for one second, and then exhaling for 10 seconds through your mouth through your almost-closed mouth with tongue pressed against your lower teeth. It should be a hissing exhalation and make a “tsssssss…” sound. All breathing and exercises are performed though the mouth.

Purging: “Purging” involves a strong exhalation as if you were trying to blow a toy sailboat across a pool, followed by a big but faster inhalation. David’s cheeks were puffed out as he demonstrated the exhalation (imagine the big bad wolf blowing the pigs’ homes down). Be careful not to heave or rock back and forth, which wastes oxygen. Keep as still as possible.

Semi-purging: Breathing between the above two. More forceful than deep breathing but less forceful than full purging. Used for recovering after each time trial.

The Steps:

1:30 deep breathing
1:15 purging (if you feel like you’re going to pass out, do it less intensely)

Hold breath for target 1:30, no more
After 1:30:
Take 3 semi-purge breaths

1:30 deep breathing
1:30 purging

Hold breath for target 2:30, no more
After 2:30
Take 3 semi-purge breaths

2:00 deep breathing
1:45 purging

Hold breath for as long as possible
After exhalation:
Take 3-10 hard semi-purge breaths until your recover