Croatian diver takes breath-hold diving to a new extreme, breaking the world record with 29 remarkable minutes underwater.
Vitomir Maričić Breaks Underwater Breath-holding Record
Vitomir Maričić, a Croatian freediver, has made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest underwater breath-hold without oxygen support. On June 14, 2025, Maričić held his breath underwater for an astonishing 29 minutes and 3 seconds in Opatija, Croatia.
Maričić's feat surpassed the previous record held by Budimir Šobat at 24 minutes and 37 seconds. The world record for the longest someone has held their breath without oxygen assistance is now held by Maričić.
Maričić's success was the result of years of rigorous training and a unique approach. He is known for his ability to hold his breath for over ten minutes, a skill honed through years of dedication. Before his record-breaking attempt, Maričić filled his red blood cells and plasma with oxygen, a process that is normally carried in very little by plasma. This, combined with the denitrogenation process that flushed nitrogen from his blood and increased the oxygen in his body, helped him achieve his remarkable feat.
During the attempt, Maričić lay face-down in a three-meter pool, unmoving, while five judges timed the attempt. He stated that the key to his success was to have no panic, no thoughts, and just silence.
However, Maričić warned his followers that diving with pure oxygen can be dangerous and even fatal. There is also a risk of carbon dioxide toxicity when CO2 builds up in the blood unnoticed during pure oxygen diving, causing symptoms like dizziness, convulsions, or blackouts.
Maričić dedicated his June attempt to raise awareness about ocean conservation. His record-breaking attempt serves as a reminder that marine ecosystems face significant challenges. In August 2023, Polish diver Stanisław Odbieżałek set a new record for the longest underwater walk on a single breath at 110.7 meters, but Maričić's record surpassed the diving stamina of a bottlenose dolphin and matched that of a harbor seal.
Guinness officials and 100 onlookers watched Maričić's record-breaking attempt. Maričić's previous achievements include multiple freediving records, such as depths and distances in various disciplines, and static apnea durations like 9 minutes and 22 seconds.
Heike Schwerdtner holds the record among females, with a time of 9 minutes and 22 seconds. The world record for the longest underwater breath-hold with oxygen assistance is still held by David Blaine, with a time of 17 minutes.
Maričić's record-breaking achievement is a testament to the human spirit and the extraordinary lengths people will go to push the boundaries of what is possible. His dedication to ocean conservation serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our marine ecosystems.
