how long could houdini hold his breath
Harry Houdini was renowned for his ability to hold his breath for three and a half minutes in the early 20 th century. Five years ago, his fellow illusionist David Blaine broke the world record for breath-holding with a total of 17 minutes and 4 seconds.acques Mayol may be the best empirical evidence for the advantages of breath-hold training. The Frenchman was the first freediver to reach 60 meters (197 feet), in 1966. Seventeen years later, at the age of 56, Mayol broke his own personal best by diving to 105 meters (344 feet).