How does David Blaine hold his breath?

David Blaine explained his process for holding his breath for extended periods. Initially, he practiced dry breath holds without oxygen and reached up to seven minutes and 47 seconds. Attempting to extend this duration, he experimented with reducing his metabolism by starving himself while submerged, but this approach actually backfired and cut his breath-holding ability short. Blaine also discussed training techniques inspired by Navy SEALs, who practice comfort with blacking out underwater by walking with weights at the bottom of a pool until they black out, which eliminates their fear of drowning because they've safely experienced it 1.

Blaine originally experimented with lowering his body temperature in an ice bath to extend his breath-holding time but realized proper technique mattered more. The realization and refinement of his technique came through further experimentation and observing others 2.