What mechanisms in the body prevent them from actually dieing when they hold their breath so long
209000
like all natural things there is a resource of oxygen stored in our boby in form of water... if the body is short of oxygen the body tries to convert water into oxygen thus stop from dieing... \n\nwhen you hold your breath initially there is a shortage of air in the body you get unconscious during this period the body starts to convert some amount of water into oxygen... and waits for our body to get external air... \n\nthis is a slow process and if your body is not strong enough to resist... then you can even die immediately...
654541
When you hyperventilate, you breathe out excess carbon dioxide.\n\nWhen you breath out excess carbon dioxide, the pH of your blood gets affected (it becomes more basic).\n\nBy breathing into a paper bag, you breath the lost carbon dioxide back into your system, thus preventing a severe disruption in your blood's pH.\n\n-random physician
112622
No, the lack of oxygen is a myth. But in fact no one knows for sure what the actual reason is. It might be a way of regulating body temperature, a chemical reaction in the body, or stretching the jaw. The most interesting theory I think, is that it is a herd instinct to synchronise sleeping patterns in the "pack". Basically, it is "contagious", and when we were much more primitive animals it helped us having the same daily routines as the rest of the group.
242893
The air enters into the same aveoli whether it is a short or long breath. The difference is, that if you take a long breath, more air is taken into the lungs and absorbed, which in turn will lower your heart rate. It basically tells the heart that it doesn't have to work so hard to oxygenate the body by pumping the blood. When you take short breaths, the heart has to pump more and basically work harder to get the oxygen distributed through the body because less air is taken in. That's why usually when you are taking short breaths, you are either active or afraid or anxious. In taking longer breaths you are more calm and relaxed. I hope this helps in some way.
194684
breath. air is the wrong answer because it doesn't make sense that a man can hold air for long.
251516
as you move your muscles, they burn oxygen...blod flow increases to muscled to replace this lost oxygen...
481375
first: air is warmed by the rich vascular net in the nasal mucosa. Second, air is humidified by nasal secretions. Third, air is filtrated and some gross particles are captured by the endoturbinates, to prevent tehir entrance into the larynx.\n\nThe accesory muscles expand (internal intercostal)or contract (external interconstal)the thoracic box like a pump. that´s the way they help .\n\nCarbon monoxide is very dangerous because it has several times more affinity with the hem group of hemoglobyn than oxygen. So, in an environment rich in carbon monoxide, when inspirated it binds to hemoglopbyn, displacing oxygen molecules from the Hem group and  preventing them to reach the organs, causing tissue anoxia and sometimes death. Treatment involves oxygen therapy, and sometimes a hyperbaric chamber( a place with high concentrations of oxygen in the air, and at a higher atmospheric pressure).
593450
Oh, yes, this is fun one.  What is happening is that sometimes when you are falling asleep, as your heart rate lowers and your muscles relax and your breathing slows, your brain thinks, just for a split second, that you are dying (you can see the similarities).  As a "check," your brain sends a test signal to your major muscle groups, causing them to spasm and you to jolt awake.  It is more likely to happen if your brain doesn't "think" you should be sleeping- like sitting up at a desk, for example, or if your internal stress levels are high at the end of the day.  I know it sounds crazy, but it really is a defense mechanism.  If you really were in danger, your body would not react to the test signal, and your brain would go into "fight or flight" mode to try and save your life.
531920
your question is confused .. red blood cells carry Oxygen on the way from the lungs to the heart and other parts, they carry CO2 from the rest of the body back to the lungs for exhalation. If they were saturated with CO you would be suffering cyanosis or Carbon Monoxide poisoning, that would be unpleasant to say the least.\nTheoretically you can 't carry too much CO2 in the red blood cell since it is self regulating and can only carry X amount at any given time .. hence the reason you breathe fast or slow depending on the production of CO2 by your body chemistry; the CO2 encites certain hormones to accelarate your heart beat and respiration rate to accommodate for the 'overload" of CO2
363283
Functionally, fetal hemoglobin differs most from adult hemoglobin in that it is able to bind oxygen with greater affinity than the adult form, giving the developing fetus better access to oxygen from the mother's bloodstream. Although this makes fetal hemoglobin bind oxygen more efficiently, I'm not sure that is why infants can withstand hypoxia better than adults.\n\nInstead I would propose the mammalian diving reflex. Submerging the face into water causes the mammalian diving reflex, which is found in all mammals (including humans, although it is less pronounced), but especially in marine mammals (as, for example, whales and seals.) This reflex puts the body into oxygen saving modus to maximize the time that can be spent under water. The effect of this reflex is greater in cold water than in warm water, and includes three factors:\n\nBradycardia, a reduction in the heart rate (of up to 50% in humans). \nPeripheral vasoconstriction, a decrease in blood flow to the extremities, in order to increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the vital organs, especially the brain. \nBlood shift, the shifting of blood to the thoracic cavity, i.e. the chest between the diaphragm and the neck to avoid the collapse of the lungs under higher pressure during deeper dives. \nThus, both a conscious and an unconscious person can survive longer without oxygen under water than in a comparable situation on dry land. Children tend to survive longer than adults when deprived of oxygen underwater.\n\nThis reaction is similar to the body's reaction to cold water dousing and might be related to temperature biofeedback.
355437
Um, I think one would be the CO2 build up causes the lungs to breathe, in a nutshell.
183148
I'm not sure, all the answers make sense, I thought maybe the fluids and gases in our bodies kept us afloat for a while then once dead the fluids and gases escape and the body sinks until it bloats and then rises again
173398
Here's the real answer to your question:\n\nTake a deep breath in, but don't hold it, just keep the air in your lungs for about 3-5 cycles (the time it would take for you to breathe in and out 3-5 times).  \n\nA hiccup results from your brain thinking your lungs aren't getting enough oxygen, so it forces oxygen in until something turns the trigger off.  Holding your breath doesn't turn the trigger off, because the hiccupping is centered around the inhale, but holding your breath = pausing the exhale.  But if you keep your lungs in a posture of continuous inhalation, the hiccups stop immediately because the brain realizes the lungs are fully saturated.
324045
the answer is 6-10 minutes if u are healthy, the question was how long u can LIVE not stay conscious. therefore the body organs and cells can last from 6-10 minutes.furthermore 4-6 minutes without minutes without breathing the cells begin to deteriorate, then 6-10 minutes without breathing the cells begin to die. u can only be resucitated after 10 minutes ONLY if your core temperature is well below normal hypothermic.
602727
Keep in mind that all animals and humans die the same way.  The final result is brain asphyxiation or suffocation of the brain.  As long as a continued supply of blood is being transported to the brain you will remain "alive".   So, no matter how much trauma has effected your body, if your brain is still receiving a fresh blood supply you are still "alive".
484536
No, it's fine.  Some people are able hold their breath longer though.
32800
people dont die form "old age" theres always a body part/organ/function that goes causing death.