In an extraordinary feat of human endurance, a Swiss freediver has shattered the world record for holding his breath while diving deep beneath frozen waters.
The Frozen Challenge
Waldemar Bruderer, hailing from Switzerland, achieved what many would consider impossible by diving 56 metres (184ft) under ice in the chilling waters of Lake Sils in Graubünden. The water temperature measured a bone-chilling -1°C, creating one of the most hostile environments for any diver.
The remarkable attempt, which took place in February but has only recently been officially recognised by Guinness World Records, saw Bruderer complete his descent and return in just two minutes and 47 seconds. What makes this achievement even more astonishing is that he accomplished it without any protective wetsuit or swimming fins, leaving his body completely exposed to the freezing elements.
Against All Odds
Video footage of the record-breaking dive shows Bruderer plunging into the icy water and using a guide line to navigate his way down into the murky depths. The location itself added another layer of difficulty, with Lake Sils situated approximately 1,800 metres (5,905ft) above sea level in the Swiss Alps. The high altitude significantly reduces available oxygen, making the breath-holding challenge even more demanding.
Bruderer, who works as a freediving instructor, expressed his motivation to Guinness World Records, stating: "The allure of the crystal-clear waters, the serenity of the underwater world, and the challenge of such an extreme environment captivated me."
He elaborated on his minimalist approach, explaining: "I thrive on the idea of immersing myself in nature, experiencing it in its purest form. By minimizing equipment, I feel more connected to the elements and can truly appreciate the majestic underwater landscapes."
More Than Just a Record
The Swiss athlete revealed that his record attempt served a greater purpose beyond personal achievement. He hopes his extraordinary feat will draw attention to the urgent issue of climate change and the critical need to protect glaciers.
"Living in Switzerland, I witness first-hand the impact of climate change and the melting glaciers that define our landscape," Bruderer told GWR. "This dive is not just a personal challenge; it's a message that we must cherish and protect the natural world we inhabit."
His achievement broke the previous record set in 2023 by Czech freediver David Vencl, who reached 52 metres (171ft) under ice, also without fins or wetsuit. Bruderer's dive extended the record by an impressive four metres.
This year has seen multiple breath-holding records broken, with Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić achieving the longest voluntarily held breath underwater at 29 minutes and 3 seconds in June. Maričić breathed pure oxygen for ten minutes before his attempt, which put his breath-holding capability on par with that of a harbour seal.
Such extreme physical achievements require years of dedicated training and mental preparation. Freedivers undergo intense cardiovascular exercise to increase lung capacity and practice holding their breath to desensitise their brains to high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels.
They also master relaxation techniques including meditation, breath awareness and mindfulness to maintain calm mental states during their attempts. Slowing heart rates becomes crucial to reduce the body's oxygen consumption, with harbour seals capable of reducing their heartbeats from 100 to just 10 per minute while submerged.
Guinness World Records emphasises that such feats require professional training, proper guidance and strict safety measures, as lack of oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels can rapidly lead to loss of consciousness.
