The diving reflex may allow a person to survive extended periods of submersion in cold water secondary to: Select one: a. increases in the metabolic rate and oxygen demand. b. bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate. c. tachycardia and a lowering of the blood pressure. d. laryngospasm that protects the lungs from water.

Answer: Bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate

Explanation:

The diving reflex in the human beings is characterized by the slow heart rate and breath-holding that can dive the bradycardia).

There is less flow of blood in the limbs and mean arterial blood pressure increases. These are some of the reflexes which is a result of diving in water.

The bradycardia might results in the increased parasympathetic stimulus to the pacemaker naturally present in the heart.