Article Series
Freediving Physiology
Understand what happens to your body on a breath-hold dive — mammalian dive reflex, blood shift, oxygen and CO2 dynamics, and more.
4 articles in this series
Freediving Physiology: What Happens to Your Body Underwater
Discover the remarkable physiological adaptations that transform humans into breath-hold divers—from the mammalian dive reflex to blood shift, and why understanding your body is essential for safe freediving.
The Mammalian Dive Reflex: Your Body's Ancient Diving System
Discover the powerful physiological reflex that connects humans to marine mammals—how it works, what triggers it, and how freedivers train to harness this remarkable survival mechanism.
Blood Shift: How Your Body Protects Your Lungs at Depth
Discover the remarkable physiological adaptation that allows freedivers to descend far beyond what scientists once believed possible—how blood shift works, why it matters, and how to develop this protective mechanism safely.
Oxygen and CO₂: Understanding the Gases That Control Your Breath-Hold
Master the science behind every breath-hold—how oxygen and carbon dioxide interact in your body, why the urge to breathe isn't what you think, and how to train safely while respecting your physiological limits.
