how long should the average man be able to hold his breath
Indeed, the average person canât hold their breath for more than 30 seconds or so â and even someone in excellent health is gasping by two minutes. Sietas pictured at the start (left) and finish (right) of the new breath-holding record of 18 minutes and 16 seconds in a water tank. Most Japanese pearl divers, who dive deep without oxygen for their treasure, canât manage more than seven minutes.