Underwater Breathing

## Summary

Underwater Breathing is a remarkable ability that grants individuals the capability to respire underwater, enabling them to survive and thrive in aquatic environments. Users of this ability can access oxygen from water itself, allowing them to bypass the need for atmospheric air. There are several methods through which this ability can be achieved.

Some possess specialized adaptations, such as gills or respiratory organs, that extract dissolved oxygen directly from water. These adaptations may be natural, acquired through genetic modifications, or mystical in nature. Alternatively, individuals may employ advanced scuba equipment or magical artifacts specifically designed to extract oxygen from water and deliver it to their respiratory system.

In more extraordinary cases, individuals with exceptional powers can create air pockets or fields of breathable atmosphere within water, effectively creating a localized environment where they can respire without issue. This method requires a high level of control over the surrounding elements and often involves manipulation of water molecules or the generation of force fields.

It is worth noting that while underwater breathing allows individuals to survive and function in aquatic environments, they still require oxygen to sustain their bodies. As such, they may have time limits or limitations on the depth and pressure at which they can operate. Additionally, some rare instances of this ability extend beyond water, enabling breathing in unconventional liquids like lava or blood, but these cases are exceptionally rare and typically associated with unique powers or supernatural origins.

Underwater breathing provides individuals with the freedom to explore the depths of the oceans, engage in underwater combat, or carry out duties and tasks in aquatic realms. It presents a significant advantage in underwater environments and offers exciting opportunities for adventure and discovery.

## Possible Uses

This ability may be applied by those who live underwater, or frequently go underwater. In a combat situation, it can be used to evade an opponent that cannot breathe underwater, or to drown them.

## Types

**Type 1 (Physiological Water-Breathing):** The user has gills or other physiological traits that allow them to breathe underwater, but not outside of it.

**Type 2 (True Natural Breathing):** The user can breathe both in water and outside of it.

**Type 3 (Breathing with Equipment):** The user can breathe underwater through external equipment, such as a scuba tank.

**Type 4 (Breathing via Air Manipulation):** The user can create an air pocket in order to breathe underwater.

## Limitations

* In some cases, users of underwater breathing may find it challenging or impossible to breathe outside of water or have limited breathing ability in terrestrial environments. This limitation arises from their physiological adaptations or reliance on specific mechanisms for extracting oxygen from water.
* While these individuals possess the ability to respire underwater, their respiratory systems may not be suited for extracting oxygen from atmospheric air. As a result, they may experience discomfort, difficulty breathing, or a complete inability to respire outside of water. Their bodies are adapted to extract oxygen efficiently from water, making them reliant on aquatic environments for sustenance.
* To navigate terrestrial environments, users of underwater breathing may need to create temporary air pockets or find alternative means to breathe. They can achieve this by utilizing their abilities to manipulate water, creating a localized pocket of breathable air within a bubble or other forms of containment. This allows them to breathe while on land for a limited period before needing to return to water for resupply.
* Extended periods spent on land may pose challenges for users of underwater breathing. The lack of moisture and exposure to dry air can lead to discomfort, dehydration, and potential damage to their respiratory systems. To restore their abilities and alleviate these effects, they may need to immerse themselves in water periodically or maintain contact with a moist environment. This allows their bodies to rehydrate, replenish necessary moisture, and restore their capacity for underwater respiration.

These limitations add an interesting dynamic to the abilities of underwater breathers. It emphasizes the importance of their connection to water and highlights the unique challenges they face when navigating both aquatic and terrestrial environments.