Static apnea (STA) is a discipline in which a person holds their breath (apnea) underwater for as long as possible, and need not swim any distance.[1] Static apnea is defined by the International Association for Development of Apnea (AIDA International) and is distinguished from the Guinness World Record for breath holding underwater, which allows the use of oxygen in preparation. It requires that the respiratory tract be immersed, with the body either in the water or at the surface, and may be performed in a pool or open water (sea, lake, river, etc.). Static apnea is the only AIDA International discipline measuring duration, and one of the three disciplines considered for the international competitions by team, with constant weight and dynamic with fins.
Beta blockers (doping in sport of freediving; prolong every type of apnea by reducing heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac output) can prolong static apnea for up to 20%.[2]
| Duration | Name | Date | Location | Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:54[3] | 7 October 2014 | Guinness * | |||
| 11:35[4] | 8 June 2009 | AIDA | |||
| 10:31 | 13 March 2020 | AIDA | |||
| 10:12 | 7 June 2008 | ||||
| 10:07 | 19 June 2015 | AIDA | |||
| 10:03.96[5] | 26 March 2018 | 12th Fazza competition | |||
| 09:58.66[6] | Goran Čolak ** | 16 June 2017 | CMAS |
| Duration | Name | Date | Location | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:07 | 27 June 2024 | AIDA | ||
| 09:02 | 21 June 2013 | AIDA | ||
| 08:53 | 15 June 2017 | CMAS | ||
| 08:33 | 28 July 2015 | CMAS | ||
| 08:01 | 27 August 2016 | AIDA | ||
There is a variation of the static apnea discipline where it's possible to breathe 100% oxygen for up to 30 minutes prior to the breathhold. This is not part of formal competitions, but is occasionally used to set individual records.
| Duration (minutes) | Name | Date | Location | Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24:37 | Budimir Šobat | 27 March 2021 | Sisak, Croatia | Guinness[9] [10] | |
| 24:03 | Aleix Segura | 28 February 2016 | Barcelona, Spain | Guinness | |
| 23:09 | 16 February 2016 | Barcelona, Spain | Guinness | ||
| 23:01 | 20 June 2014 | Vir, Croatia | Guinness | ||
| 22:30 | 29 September 2013 | Zagreb, Croatia | Guinness | ||
| 22:22 | 30 May 2012 | Changsha, China | Guinness | ||
| 22:00 | 3 May 2012 | London, United Kingdom | |||
| 21:33 | 17 September 2011 | Ebikon, Switzerland | Guinness | ||
| 20:21 | 16 September 2010 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Guinness | ||
| 20:10 | 1 April 2010 | Kattegatcentret, Denmark | Guinness | ||
| 19:21 | 14 Feb 2010 | St. Gallen, Switzerland | Guinness | ||
| 19:02 | 21 May 2009 | Milano, Italy | Guinness | ||
| 18:32 | 10 July 2009 | Florianópolis, Brasil | Guinness | ||
| 18:03 | 26 November 2008 | Goito, Italy | |||
| 17:19 | 19 September 2008 | New York City, United States | Guinness | ||
| 17:04 | 30 April 2008 | Chicago, United States | Guinness | ||
| 16:32 | 10 February 2008 | St. Gallen, Switzerland | AIDA | ||
| 16:13 | 23 February 2008 | Madrid, Spain | Guinness | ||
| 16:04 | 10 February 2007 | St. Gallen, Switzerland | AIDA | ||
| 14:12 | 5 January 2006 | Milano, Italy | Guinness | ||
| 13:05 | 3 October 2004 | Lausanne, Switzerland | AIDA | ||
| 12:47 | 15 June 2003 | Naples, Italy | |||
| 12:34 | 11 May 2002 | Busto Arsizio, Italy |