Punish your face into the water – and your heart begins to knock more slowly, and your breath freezes. This is not magic, explains IA EAOMedia, just a diving reflex, an ancient mechanism that helps us survive under water.
When the face touches the water, the diving reflex is triggered in the body – an evolutionary feature inherited from the ancestors. The heartbeat slows down to save oxygen, and the vessels in the hands and legs narrow, directing blood to the brain and heart. This allows you to hold your breath under water longer than on land.
The reflex turns on automatically: it is enough to immerse the face in cold water, and the body begins to go into energy conservation mode. For trained freedivers, this mechanism is honed to perfection – they may not breathe for 5 – 7 minutes! But even in an ordinary person, the reflex works, helping to adapt to the aquatic environment.
Interestingly, the same reflex has marine mammals, such as dolphins and seals. In people, it is more developed, but still reminds that we are part of nature.
