Coocoo

Some People Can Dive Deep

Most people can only stay underwater for a very short time. But the Bajau（巴瑤族）people from Asia can stay under much longer. They can hold their breath5 for thirteen minutes and dive6 as deep as 60 meters！ One reason they can do this is the size of their spleen（脾脏）. The spleen is a part of the body that holds7 blood.

The Bajau spend most of their time on the water. They dive very deep in order to catch fish. Scientists found that their spleens are 50% larger than most people （see picture）. Big spleens hold more blood. Blood has oxygen（氧气）that the body can use when there is no air to breathe. This extra8 blood may help the Bajau stay under water for a long time.

潜水强者

普通人能够在水下停留的时间非常有限，但来自亚洲的巴瑶族人具有强大的潜水能力。他们可以一口气潜到60米深，在水下保持13分钟！能够做到这一点，是因为巴瑶族人的脾脏体积异于常人。脾脏为人体器官，能够储存血液。

巴瑶族为海上游牧民族，日常以潜海捕鱼为生。研究人员发现，他们的脾脏体积比一般人大一半（见图）。脾脏越大，储血量则越大，在人憋气时可以为身体提供氧气。这也许正是巴瑶族人拥有更强潜水能力的原因。

Safety！

Diving too deep or holding your breath for too long is not safe. Even expert swimmers have died when they tried to stay underwater too long. Never try to do either one！

安全小知识

深潜或长时间憋气会对身体造成一定损害。即使是专业潜水员，也曾殒命于水下。切勿轻易尝试！