Fear of Narcosis!

[fnfalman]

Don't go deep.

You don't have to take the AOW class to learn more about advanced diving techniques. Dive more with experienced people.

 

[Frosty]

HMM now heres a question folks. Is it a good plan to DELIBERATELY go out of your way to get your student narked in a controlled enviroment?
By controlled I mean a DM and instructor with the student and a spare tank hanging at 15 feet (5.0m) for emergencies.

 

[knowone]

Avoid depth, if something or someone is giving you grief topside
if you are suffering Delirium tremens
if you have had a session at Alice's Restaurant
and are predisposed towards anxiety or paranoia
or if paying for the dive precludes you from paying for something else

 

[BKP]

HMM now heres a question folks. Is it a good plan to DELIBERATELY go out of your way to get your student narked in a controlled enviroment?
By controlled I mean a DM and instructor with the student and a spare tank hanging at 15 feet (5.0m) for emergencies.

I think it is... in fact, I think it's irresponsible not to...

It's not unusual, in a warm, clear, colorful drift like in Coz, to find yourself at 80 or 90+ feet, and slightly narced, and it would be appropriate to understand the feeling *before* being unexpectedly introduced to it. I assume that was the designed purpose of the AOW deep dive (getting comfortably narced knowing you're under supervision in case it doesn't agree with you).

Personally, I found I love the feeling... So's my dive buddy (wife), who tends to toss accessories off the deck on wrecks, like the Spiegel, when she gets narced, so she can watch my $100 backup lights float down to the sand...

 

[tangfish]

The most dangerous thing about narcosis is not that you "freak out", but that you have a false sense of security and that your judgment is impaired. It's very subtle, but once you dive deep more often you'll likely come to realize when you're "narc'd". Some people even like the feeling. I used to until I started diving trimix exclusively (even on shallow dives) in cold water. Now when I go even moderately deep on air I'm like "woah - not thinking as straight!".

My advice is to simply follow the instruction of your dive instructor, who it sounds like is a good one. They won't take you beyond your limits and when you do the deep dive they take you just to a depth where narcosis starts having effects, just so that you'll recognize it later when you're diving on your own.

Best of luck to you and have fun!

 

[TSandM]

I'm with boulderjohn. I have personal experiences that showed me, without any doubt, that I am impaired by narcosis when I do not feel any different from normal. That is what one should respect and perhaps fear a little about it. Reactions to novel or emergent situations may well be significantly suboptimal, and the person in the situation may not be aware of it at all.

There is no rush to go deep. Some of the most beautiful diving is in the shallows, anyway.

 

[tengsr]

:... So's my dive buddy (wife), who tends to toss accessories off the deck on wrecks, like the Spiegel, when she gets narced, so she can watch my $100 backup lights float down to the sand...

Lights!!

 

[TMHeimer]

I've been down 130 feet. I KNOW narcosis is in effect because I've been told so by those way more experienced than me. Haven't knowingly felt it. Maybe that's because I concentrate on collecting shells on the bottom at those depths. Who knows.

 

[DevonDiver]

It goes back to the old scuba agency recommendation - dive within your comfort zones. If you fear narcosis, then avoid deep dives. Simple as that.

Narcosis itself can be a subtle and insidious debilitator. It can present in a multitude of ways, dependant on the individual, the individual's mood and other factors. It is rarely obviously evident to the individual themsevles and, very rarely, a sensation akin to the typical 'drunkeness' analogy that some divers/instructors use to describe it.

Most divers would not have a problem with narcosis above 30m. Those that do, are typically experiencing mild narcosis amplifying a pre-existing mental state (apprehension, enjoyment etc).

Controlled exposure to narcosis has argueable benefits. The AOW deep dive may allow some experience with narcosis (it doesn't for most divers), but at least you are supervised and safe during that time.

If you fear narcosis, then there is a chance that any mild narcosis could present as an amplification of that anxiety. A stress-related narcosis experience can be very unpleasant and can lead to an out-of-control panic reaction. If you are fearful on a deeper dive, then you should certainly ensure that you are supevised/protected by a competant and experienced buddy (and that you communicate those fears in advance of the dive).

The question remains, whether an experience of narcosis would serve to alleviate your fears or increase them. Likewise, postponing that experience could possible also serve to exagerate those fears (because the reality will remain unknown), when actually, doing the AOW deep dive may put your mind to rest.

Personally, I am inclinded to confront my fears. Having said that, I also wouldn't allow a negative experience to deter me from further diving.

With that in mind, the first step for the OP would be to analyise themselves to determine how they may react to a negative narcosis experience - and balance that against the possible benefits of gaining that experience.

 

[spectrum]

flightmedic_sd

You have been given a lot of good information by prior posters. Nitrogen narcosis is a very real phenomenon and it varies from day to day and person to person. To some extent everyone is narc's a little on any dive as you brain begins to absorb nitrogen. It can be a very pleasant or unpleasant experience. Personal condition, cold, limited visibility, anxiety can all predispose a diver to an unpleasant experience.

An AOW Deep dive will be to 60 feet or greater and may or may not bring you into a depth range where you feel impaired. Some demonstrations are often included to demonstrate your actual impairment. This is to give you a respect for the effects of depth. Divers regularly make dives to those depths with no consequences, but you never know.

There's is no need to rush into getting your AOW card. There is plenty to see in the first 60 feet and some would suggest that's where most of the good stuff is anyhow. You say that you just got your OW card so this is all very very new to you. I suspect that after a few dozen dives perhaps progressively deeper you will have acquired some more confidence and have a better frame of reference. Then you can consider your next steps. Personally, I think waiting a few dozen dives is a good idea anyhow. Let the basics begin to become second nature. You will be better prepared to absorb new skills and experiences. You only have so much mental bandwidth and right now you are being inundated with new sensations.

Have fun, take it easy. Stretch goals are good but don't ever overstep you good judgment. The learning process is like stepping stones and go for those that are in reach.

Pete