How Korea's Haenyeo developed extraordinary cold resistance that lets them dive into near-freezing seas without oxygen tanks, even in their 70s

• Image: Kyoto JournalFor centuries, the Haenyeo, South Korea's legendary "sea women", have ventured into the cold waters surrounding Jeju Island armed with nothing more than a knife, a floating buoy and their ability to hold their breath.
• Many continue diving well into their 60s, 70s and even 80s, harvesting abalone, sea urchins, octopus and shellfish without scuba gear or compressed oxygen.
• Their endurance has long fascinated scientists.