Breathing is a basic human activity. Most of us breathe unconsciously, hardly paying attention to our breathing pattern. However, unlike the contractions of the heart or stomach, humans can control their own breathing.

Breath holding is the act of temporarily stopping breathing on purpose, such as when diving, suffocating from smoke, going to a toxic gas area... A normal, healthy person can hold their breath for 3-5 minutes on average. However, a person's ability to hold their breath can increase if they practice regularly, are a diver or a professional athlete.