good discussion... i always expect to get some narc effects below 100fsw and deeper, regardless of the gas...so im constantly assessing my mental state. I dont want to sound flip...but id be disappointed if i wasnt... i enjoy being narced. That may sound reckless...but being aware of it...even waiting for it...means that im just that..aware, but relaxed. When i realize im really having a great time and totally chilled out...the fact that i know im narced can make the mental note ive made to myself stand out (on the surface) to keep the profile in mind ...and as long as i keep doing so, i can relax and enjoy the show.
I think you can easily get narced at 80-100, i know i am often...on ean or air. Oftentimes this fact is overlooked because the diver narced at 80 tends to wander deeper, and the narcosis increases...and if they are not aware of it, they may be become reckless...
When i dive with people im not especially familiar, and the dive is going to the rec limits or more. I always tell them they are going to become narced. If they say to me i never get narced...then i worry... nnarcosis makes you almost childish...and if they say that to me on the surface...then they might not admit it to themselves at depth and assume their choices are rational and the profile is not.
I've had narced divers...when we've agreed there would be no penetration on a wreck...and they decide to enter a hull...and i stop them by placing myself in front of them...assume 'i was narced' and acting irrationaly and freaking. Even though i may have just placed myself in front of them. The difference was, i may of been narced, but i knew it and so i adhered to the profile. They 'were' narced, but weren't aware or didn't believe it...and so they couldn't understand why i was getting thier attention. In this case the diver tried to reassure me by checking my gauge...which i got a laugh out of...and when we ascended they insisted it was me that was narced. And the fact the profile we agreed on was not followed...was something else altogether.
Ive always thought nitrogen narcosis is a unadmitted secret among divers lest the sport attract a lot of broke drug users. It may just be me...but i think most people start to get narced if they spend a few minutes at 80-90...it may be hidden by attention to various challenges, keeping track of their partners, or stress with the dive. But i think its happens often and for myself and the people i dive with i always make a note of being aware of when it starts...because the narcotic effect can manifest itself not just as euphoria...but the flipside paranoia or fear. I think if a diver is aware or expecting it...its a mental tool to get a handle on paranoia or euphoria...(which is always something to watch for with new divers...ive seen it happen many times)...the whole circuit of thoughts
i cant get enough air...im stressed!
hyperventilation and distrust of the gear, can be shortcircuited by am i narced?...maybe i can relax if i try... and mellow out.'
Coincidently, this is the cure for both hyperventalition and bad trips. This can also make you go over your profile...and help you realize where you are at .
So what im saying from my experience is, always assume your going to get narced at a certain depth. Pay attention and ask yourself, am i narced somewhat? Dont consider it a fault or weakness but a bonus.
And question why you do things, realise the risk of poor decision making...and keep your profile in mind so you can relax and enjoy the high.