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Can you hold your breath longer by burping?

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jirkal Thu 08-Jan-26 12:52:00

Weird question, but I was thinking about how a burp releases extra air you have trapped in your stomach. So if you're underwater holding your breath, to what degree could you muster up an extra smidge of "fresh" air by burping whatever you have available back into your mouth? And on the extreme end, what if you intentionally first tried to swallow air to store as much as possible?

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Aely Thu 08-Jan-26 12:56:42

I don't think the "burp" would be very nice, mostly stomach gases - and how would you get it into your lungs? Try filling your mouth with air and then getting it into your lungs without opening your mouth. Can't be done.

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Grandmabatty Thu 08-Jan-26 12:57:52

Are you 12?

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Shelflife Thu 08-Jan-26 17:19:14

Why on earth would you want to
know!?

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Allira Thu 08-Jan-26 17:34:05

If you try it, do let us know how you get on.

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RosiesMawagain Thu 08-Jan-26 17:36:14

GCSE Science mock exam?

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Oreo Thu 08-Jan-26 18:16:55

If I was drowning I’d be too busy panicking.

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Allira Thu 08-Jan-26 23:14:33

Aely

I don't think the "burp" would be very nice, mostly stomach gases - and how would you get it into your lungs? Try filling your mouth with air and then getting it into your lungs without opening your mouth. Can't be done.

Interesting experiment, though, because you'd automatically breathe through your nose.

Do let us know how you get on, OP.

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Oreo Fri 09-Jan-26 11:15:30

Try it in the bath😄

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