Breath-Holding vs Being Unconscious, Underwater

[Humabout]

It is worth noting that when you are knocked unconcious, yiu immediately begin breathing instinctually, whether there is air present or not. This is why when a bratty kid tries to manipulate an adult by holding his breath "until he dies", the adult doesn't need to worry. At most the kid will pass out and start breathing again. The same goes for the killer croc.

The question is whether the croc hurts himself by filling his lungs with water, and at what point he starts to drown. This may largely boil down to the fluff surrounding his Breath-Holding. If he just needs less oxygen/has extra-oxygenated blood, then I'd say it applies. If his lungs hold more air and he needs to consiously fill them up, I'd say no. If the latter applies, I'd give his BH an Accessibility for being aware he's about to take a dunk; this would make him vulnerable to being suffocated in his sleep, too.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Humabout

It is worth noting that when you are knocked unconcious, yiu immediately begin breathing instinctually, whether there is air present or not. This is why when a bratty kid tries to manipulate an adult by holding his breath "until he dies", the adult doesn't need to worry. At most the kid will pass out and start breathing again. The same goes for the killer croc.

The question is whether the croc hurts himself by filling his lungs with water, and at what point he starts to drown. This may largely boil down to the fluff surrounding his Breath-Holding. If he just needs less oxygen/has extra-oxygenated blood, then I'd say it applies. If his lungs hold more air and he needs to consiously fill them up, I'd say no. If the latter applies, I'd give his BH an Accessibility for being aware he's about to take a dunk; this would make him vulnerable to being suffocated in his sleep, too.

Ah, found something. Laryngospasm is a thing, and will prevent getting much water in lungs for at least a short while.

[Humabout]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Ah, found something. Laryngospasm is a thing, and will prevent getting much water in lungs for at least a short while.

Thank you. I just learned something new. Infortunately, that still has the same immediate effect of suffocation. But at least chances of first aid working increase!

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Humabout

Thank you. I just learned something new. Infortunately, that still has the same immediate effect of suffocation. But at least chances of first aid working increase!

Dry suffocation, so you still benefit from your breath-holding goodies in full or nearly so even if they're lung-based.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Humabout

It is worth noting that when you are knocked unconcious, yiu immediately begin breathing instinctually, whether there is air present or not. This is why when a bratty kid tries to manipulate an adult by holding his breath "until he dies", the adult doesn't need to worry. At most the kid will pass out and start breathing again. The same goes for the killer croc.
...

My mom was a very stubborn small child, and tried that with my equally stubborn grandparents. They told her to go ahead. She did and passed out. Just like you say, she started breathing again, and woke up angry but wiser.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Dry suffocation, so you still benefit from your breath-holding goodies in full or nearly so even if they're lung-based.

I wouldn't say so as the lungs still aren't full before going in.
For realistic tetrapods like mutant humans, I would say that the first or even second doubling of breath holding ability is lung capacity. The rest enhanced diving reflex and myoglobin oxygen storage. But for comic books, there isn't much consistency or rigid parameters in defining the hows.

And while full unconsciousness is much worse than most seem to think, one can be "knocked for a loop" without going fully unconscious. That may be a somewhat realistic way to keep things simple and comic book-y.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

I wouldn't say so as the lungs still aren't full before going in.
For realistic tetrapods like mutant humans, I would say that the first or even second doubling of breath holding ability is lung capacity. The rest enhanced diving reflex and myoglobin oxygen storage. But for comic books, there isn't much consistency or rigid parameters in defining the hows.

And while full unconsciousness is much worse than most seem to think, one can be "knocked for a loop" without going fully unconscious. That may be a somewhat realistic way to keep things simple and comic book-y.

Normally the Breath-Holding trait increases all of your of your breath-holding durations, no matter the method. If you want it to only work under some restricted circumstances, get a limitation, it's save a point or two. For improved reflexes*, get the appropriate skill.

* == Talking about learned reflexes, not inborn ones, of course.

[Flyndaran]

And not taking a concentrate manuever first halves duration, which OP's example character was unable to do. I'm sorry if I made it sound like it was a specific limitation to the advantage. (I've been extra scatter-brained lately. Blasted shingles.)
And Doesn't Breathe: Oxygen storage calls out Breath Holding as not helping against The Bends. I admit to finding that odd as well, and would have no issue with house ruling that away.