What does Respiration do in Minecraft?

Statistically speaking, most human beings can only hold their breath underwater for around a minute, two minutes tops. In real life, that’s not much of a problem, but when you’re exploring the depths in Minecraft, it can be a pain to have to constantly resurface for air. Luckily, where biology falls short, magic can oblige. So, what does Respiration do in Minecraft?

What does Respiration do in Minecraft?

Respiration is a type of enchantment in Minecraft that can be applied to armor pieces for a beneficial effect. Specifically, you can apply Respiration to any armor helmet or leather cap in order to increase the amount of time you can safely remain underwater without suffocating.

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Taking the default amount of time of around 15 seconds you can stay underwater, Respiration adds an additional 15 seconds to the clock per level. Additionally, having a Respiration enchantment gives you a slight chance to nullify drowning damage after your air meter drains out, potentially giving you a few extra moments to escape a dangerous situation. At its highest level, Respiration level 3, you’ve got a grand total of 60 seconds underwater before needing to take a breath.

How to Get a Respiration Enchantment

As with any enchantment, you’ll need an anvil or an enchanting table to apply the one you want to your armor. Assuming you’re using an enchanting table, just set it down, plunk in some Lapis Lazuli to power it up, and slot in the helmet/hat you want to enchant.

When you slot the gear in, you’ll get three randomly-chosen options for enchantments. Hover over them to find the one you want. When you see Respiration, click on it to pay the requisite EXP and Lapis Lazuli to apply the enchantment to your headwear. Remember, if the helmet you want to use already has an enchantment applied, you can’t use an enchanting table to add a new one. That’s a job for an anvil and an enchanting book.

While a minute of breathing time may not seem like much, if you use that time strategically, you can get a lot more done underwater without having to worry about constantly resurfacing for air.

For more handy utilities in Minecraft, check out our guides on making chains and getting sponges. Visit our Facebook page as well for more guides and news.