Name: How I held my breath for 17 minutes
Uploaded: 2010-01-19T08:22:00Z
Duration: 20 min 2 s
Description: In this highly personal talk from TEDMED, magician and stuntman David Blaine describes what it took to hold his breath underwater for 17 minutes -- a world record (only two minutes shorter than this entire talk!) -- and what his often death-defying work means to him. Warning: do NOT try this at home.

In this highly personal talk from TEDMED, magician and stuntman David Blaine describes what it took to hold his breath underwater for 17 minutes -- a world record (only two minutes shorter than this entire talk!) -- and what his often death-defying work means to him. Warning: do NOT try this at home.

David Blaine: How I held my breath for 17 minutes

How I held my breath for 17 minutes

Diving into perilous waters, a quest to break human limits by holding breath for 17 minutes reveals the blend of magic and science.

From near-fatal trials to mastery, a journey of breath-holding showcases resilience, exploring the fine line between risk and reward.

Achieving a 17-minute breath hold, a blend of sheer will and physiological adaptation, underlines the untapped potential within us all.