Haenyo (translates to water women) can be found on the shores of Jeju Island, South Korea. Known for their sustainable diving practices, they are even recognized by UNESCO for their unique cultural heritage. What makes them unique? They can dive underwater without scuba gear! Dive deep into their fascinating culture and explore how it is even possible to swim without gear.
What do they do?
They cultivate molluscs, seaweed, abalone, octopus, sea urchins, and other life forms from the deep sea for their livelihood. They dive deep into the ocean to collect them. They are like scuba divers but without the scuba gear. That’s why they are called real-life mermaids.
How does it all begin?
They start training for this at a tender age of 11, starting from shallow waters and making their way up to the deep sea. The oldest Haenyos are 80 years old, and almost 60% of them are above 60. They may have trouble walking on land, but they can swim like a fish.
The tools they use
Wetsuit, diving mask, fins, gloves, chest weights, weeding hoe, and a net to store whatever the collected. The wetsuits make them stay longer. Before that, they used cotton swimsuits and could hardly stay underwater for an hour in the winter. And 3to 4 hours in the summers. Now they can stay for at least 6-7 hours without breaks.
Note that there are no oxygen masks, unlike scuba divers (they have a buoyancy control device and a scuba tank with gases that help them breathe). They purely rely on their lung capacity.
They have a unique breathing technique- sumbisori, wherein they plunge up to 20 meters deep and hold their breath for 2-3 minutes, practicing a rapid whistling breathing.
Do women make better divers?
Before the 17th century, diving was purely a man’s job. But, thanks to rough seas and other factors, it was predominantly taken over by women. But women are more suited for diving. Here’s why-
They have more subcutaneous fat, helping them in thermoregulation. They also have a higher shivering threshold and can work in cold climates better than men.
Could genetics play a role?
Certain genetic features help them regulate blood pressure underwater. They have the lowest rates of stroke rate as high blood pressure causes stroke. A closer look at such genetic traits can offer promising insights into managing certain diseases.
Yet another gene under study was thermotolerance. They had genes that could help them tolerate cold better than others. We are yet to fully understand the molecular mechanisms, though.
Their diving cousins
Another group of divers, the Bajau, had extra-large spleens that could store extra oxygenated blood for longer dives.
Deep-sea dangers they have to manage
- They are hard of hearing because of the pressure changes inside their ears.
- Sharks, ships, and bad weather are a few other things they need to battle before they reach shore.
The Haenyeo are more than divers — they’re living legends. With every breath they hold, they carry forward a legacy of strength, harmony, and resilience beneath the waves.
Did you enjoy reading about Haenyos and their physiological adaptations? Comment below.
Happy reading!
Fascinating, thanks for sharing!