How To Experience Narcosis With Minimal Risk?

[lowviz]

Or the exact reverse: Hyperventilation: Causes, Treatments & Prevention

 

[BRT]

Right, that seems to describe what I experienced, and then CO2 narcosis is yet something else that may accompany the CO2 shortness of breath experience, but that may also happen on its own. Right?

What I felt is the need to breath so bad that it seems like I can't get enough air along with a sense that things are really wrong and sometimes a buzzy feeling in my head. I'd guess it could be called a "dark narc".

 

[HJeffreyM]

I believe the OP was interested in experiencing nitrogen narcosis which usually occurs at depths >100fsw. This entire discussion seems odd as CO2 narcosis has little or nothing to do with depth. It is ordinarily initiated by either hyperventilation or a CO2 buildup in the blood for some other reason. The result is panic, perhaps some numbness and finally, blackout. I've never heard that described as being "narc'd."

On the other hand, nitrogen narcosis is described as a mild to crazy euphoric feeling (depth and personal physiology dependent). It would be nearly impossible to confuse the two. The OP was interested in safely experiencing nitrogen narcosis so he would understand his limitations when diving. I suggested a trip to his dentist's office as the effects of nitrous oxide (N2O) are nearly identical to that of nitrogen on the brain under pressure at depth.

 

[BRT]

I believe the OP was interested in experiencing nitrogen narcosis which usually occurs at depths >100fsw. This entire discussion seems odd as CO2 narcosis has little or nothing to do with depth. It is ordinarily initiated by either hyperventilation or a CO2 buildup in the blood for some other reason. The result is panic, perhaps some numbness and finally, blackout. I've never heard that described as being "narc'd."

On the other hand, nitrogen narcosis is described as a mild to crazy euphoric feeling (depth and personal physiology dependent). It would be nearly impossible to confuse the two. The OP was interested in safely experiencing nitrogen narcosis so he would understand his limitations when diving. I suggested a trip to his dentist's office as the effects of nitrous oxide (N2O) are nearly identical to that of nitrogen on the brain under pressure at depth.

The verdict seems to be that all gasses are narcotic at depth, some much more narcotic than others. CO2 is one of the really narcotic ones. Helium not so much. Argon really narcotic. Hydrogen probably not.

 

[gearbow]

I haven't read all the responses to this question but a number of people have mentioned a chamber ride. Is that expensive?

 

[Spack9]

I'd say some loss of situational awareness is the biggest hazard of narcosis in my experience. Also time seems to pass a little quicker. I've been guilty of being caught in the scenery before I realized what was going on.

 

[Bob DBF]

This entire discussion seems odd as CO2 narcosis has little or nothing to do with depth. It is ordinarily initiated by either hyperventilation or a CO2 buildup in the blood for some other reason.

Well, yes and no. Once you are at depth, it does not take as much to initiate a CO2 hit which may manifest itself as a mild nark, and an inexperienced diver may not differentiate this from a N2 nark. A N2 nark, in my experience, is not detected unless you are looking for it, or something happens and you realize you are not responding properly, mostly you go on thinking everything is completely normal.

I haven't read all the responses to this question but a number of people have mentioned a chamber ride. Is that expensive?

Find a chamber near you and ask if they even give pleasure rides. After that, expensive is a relative term.



Bob

 

[drmwc]

I haven't read all the responses to this question but a number of people have mentioned a chamber ride. Is that expensive?

In the UK, it is around £50 for a 50m dive. So it is not too expensive. I recommend it, as others in the thread have said.

I have no idea how much it is elsewhere.