According to the Rule of Threes, how long can a person typically survive without air?

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The ability to breathe and supply oxygen to the brain is the limiting factor in short-term survival. The Rule of Threes gives a quick, rough guide: about three minutes without breathable air, about three hours without shelter in harsh conditions, about three days without water, and about three weeks without food. Because the brain and other vital organs suffer rapidly without oxygen, the common takeaway is that you can typically survive only about three minutes without air. In reality, unconsciousness can occur within roughly one to three minutes, and serious brain damage becomes more likely after about four to six minutes, with variability based on health and circumstances. The other options imply much longer survival without air, which isn’t consistent with this guideline.