THE SUPERHUMAN

Is it possible that humans could be like fish and survive underwater?

Surprisingly, evidence has emerged showing this aquatic fact is kind of true!

We’re a way off from being able to breathe in the water like mermaids but one tribe certainly

knows what they’re doing when it comes to spending long periods in the briny deep.

The Bajau People were first mentioned in the 16th century, via the journal of pioneering

Venetian explorer Antonio Pigafetta.

They’re native to Indonesia, and also the southern Philippines and Malaysia.

The tribe relies on the water for their way of life, collecting meals from the sea bed.

This means they spend a lot of time submerged in the muck!

In fact, diving is their full-time career.

According to reports, the Bajau devote 8 hours every day to diving with only a mask and a snorkel.

They use their weight to stay in place.

But how come they can survive beneath the surface longer than the typical person...?

The answer is found in human biology.

The Bajau, you see, have a certain quality about them that makes them good survivors.

in the water.

That certain something is an enlarged spleen!

The spleen is a versatile organ that is found in your abdomen.

It’s known for recycling old red blood cells, in addition to storing white blood cells.

There are many other things it does, but we're about to become sidetracked.

The point is that the spleen is critical to how long the Bajau lasts in the drink.

Have you ever heard of the human diving reaction?

It occurs when you undergo a process known as "peripheral vasoconstriction," in which your heart rate is decreased and your blood vessels shrink.

They do this on the outskirts of your body to maintain oxygenated blood where it is desperately needed in your organs.

The spleen then contracts, producing oxygenated red blood cells and providing you with extra oxygen.

oxygen.

The Bajau can push their underwater exploits to the limit thanks to their larger-than-average spleens.

Now consider a plausible explanation for

This is starting to sound like an X-Men comic, so let science speak for itself.

and leave it at that...

Is it feasible for humans to survive underwater like fish?

Surprisingly, evidence has surfaced indicating that this aquatic fact is somewhat true!

We're still a long way from being able to breathe underwater like mermaids, but one tribe has made strides.

When it comes to spending long periods of time in the briny deep, understands what they're doing.

The Bajau People were first referenced in the notebook of pioneering Venetian explorer Antonio Pigafetta in the 16th century.

They are indigenous to Indonesia, as well as the southern Philippines and Malaysia.

The tribe relies on water for survival, gathering food from the sea.

They use their weight to stay in place.

But how come they can survive beneath the surface longer than the typical person...?

The answer is found in human biology.

The Bajau, you see, have a certain quality about them that makes them good survivors.

in the water.

That something is an enlargement of the spleen!

The spleen is a multifunctional organ located in the abdomen.

It is well-known for recycling old red blood cells as well as storing white blood cells.

There are many other things it does, but we're about to become sidetracked.

The point is that the spleen is critical to how long the Bajau lasts in the drink.

Have you ever heard of the human diving reaction?

It occurs when you undergo a process known as "peripheral vasoconstriction," in which your heart rate is decreased and your blood vessels shrink.

They do this on the outskirts of your body to maintain oxygenated blood where it is desperately needed in your organs.

The spleen then contracts, producing oxygenated red blood cells and delivering them to the body.

However, there is a significant size disparity between Bajau and neighboring spleens.

Of course, it's possible that the dive had an effect that was passed down via all descendants, but that's a topic for another day.

So, if there are humans on the globe who are adapted to submarine existence, it begs the question of whether there are other forms of "superhumans" out there.

Who can stroll around in extremely high temperatures, or who can withstand extreme cold?

This is starting to sound like an X-Men comic, so let science speak for itself.

and leave it at that way.