Short Wave What Makes South Korea's 'Super Divers' Special?
21 snips
Jun 20, 2025 
Ari Daniel, a science reporter, dives deep into the fascinating world of the Haenyeo, South Korea's legendary female divers from Jeju Island. These extraordinary women can hold their breath for remarkable lengths of time, thanks to unique genetic adaptations. Ari explores their astonishing techniques, including the ability to dive even during pregnancy. He also highlights critical research revealing genetic traits tied to cold tolerance and blood pressure regulation, emphasizing the rich cultural and biological significance of these 'super divers'.
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Haenyeo's Breath-Holding Feats
- The Haenyeo divers on Jeju Island dive without oxygen tanks, relying purely on their lung capacity.
- These women can hold their breath for two to three minutes and dive even in cold waters near 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Life-Long Adaptations for Diving
- The Haenyeo's diving ability comes not just from training but also from special physiological and genetic adaptations.
- They start diving young and continue throughout life, even during pregnancy, showing remarkable endurance and resilience.
Genetic Role of Spleen in Freedivers
- The Bajo freedivers in Indonesia were found to have larger spleens linked to genetic adaptations aiding freediving.
- Their spleens release oxygenated red blood cells during dives, extending underwater breath-holding capacity.