Imagine a world where diving into the water doesn’t require an oxygen tank, fins, or even a ‘buddy check.’ Well, this is reality for the Bajau tribe.
The tribe have unusually large spleens that enable them to stay submerged.
Diving into the depths usually requires a lot of gear and some serious preparation. Oxygen tanks, weights to counter our natural buoyancy, and fins for swimming are just the start. Before diving, ‘buddy checks’ ensure everything’s set for a safe underwater adventure.
But for the Bajau tribe, none of this is necessary. They’ve amazed people worldwide with a video showing a man swimming effortlessly and even walking underwater.
The Bajau are ‘genetically mutated,’ allowing them to thrive in an underwater world. For over a thousand years, this Indonesian-based tribe has lived on houseboats and spent a large part of their lives in the sea. They’ve become expert free divers and spear fishers, with lung capacities and swimming skills that seem almost out of this world.
A YouTube video captured a Bajau man diving 20 meters down to the sea floor. Incredibly, his heart rate drops to just 30 beats per minute, conserving oxygen. He strolls along the sea bed as if he’s walking on land, holding his breath for a mind-blowing five minutes before returning to the surface.
This clip has wowed viewers. One commenter joked, “Imagine being a diver with all the gear and this chap suddenly appears walking on the bottom of the sea like he’s on a morning stroll!” Another viewer admired the man’s adaptation to his environment, calling it truly inspirational.
Others marveled at his underwater capabilities, saying things like, “Respect, I would’ve drowned ten times over,” and “It’s insane to see him walking on the ground underwater like it’s nothing!”
Another viewer explained that this incredible ability comes from lifelong practice. Since childhood, Bajau people engage in primitive fishing, a “basic”—yet life-threatening—activity essential for their livelihood.
Amazingly, some of the tribe members can dive up to 230 feet using just weights and wooden goggles, relying on their large spleens to stay underwater for extended times. These spleens contract underwater, releasing oxygenated red blood cells into the bloodstream, increasing blood oxygen by nine percent, a genetic gift that grants them superb underwater endurance.
While we don’t know precisely how long they can remain submerged, some reports suggest they can stay underwater for up to 13 minutes. The footage makes one thing clear: the Bajau tribe possesses extraordinary, almost ‘superhuman’ qualities.
So, the next time you think about taking a dip in the ocean, remember the Bajau tribe and their remarkable natural adaptations. Their story is a fascinating glimpse into the human body’s potential and our ability to adapt to even the most extreme conditions.
