How can I slow my heart rate down and hold my breath longer?

Question

Ive heard that if you slow your heart rate down then your body uses less oxygen and you can hold your breath longer. How do you do this. Also, is there any excercises to hold your breath longer?

Answer 1

Any conditioning you do in or out of the pool will strengthen your heart and lungs.  Hard work is the best way to go, push it until your lungs burn and you hear your pulse pounding in your head and you're doing the right thing.