Gas Narcosis in those who are absent-minded

[cashew]

I don't mean to insult anyone with this question, but I'm really curious to know --

We learn a lot about how being under the effects of gas narcosis interferes and/or affects our ability to make decisions and our reaction times. What I'd like to know is, how does it play out for people who are perhaps naturally more uh, absent-minded on land? Like, my good friend is someone who is typically pretty forgetful, has to be reminded about things, etc. But, my friend isn't stupid or dumb (or cognitively impaired) by any means (just absent-minded and/or forgetful). Can my friend's "absent-minded"-ness be enhanced or magnified due to gas narcosis?

I guess to some extend it really depends on the individual person since gas narcosis is a physical (rather than mental) thing, but just curious to know what people's experiences are. Thanks.

 

[Phil_C]

As I understand it the actual biological processes at work behind narcosis caused by increased partial pressure of nitrogen at depth are poorly understood, although it is accepted that everyone is affected, that effect is not always uniformly predictable, and can be different for the same person on different days in exactly the same conditions.

It is accepted though that an ascent to a shallower depth has an almost immediate and profound effect of first reducing, then clearing the effects. Time does not seem to play a role here, so it is not like alcohol (although the symptoms are) where time is needed to flush the 'toxins' out - reduce pressure, effects disappear.

So your absent minded friend will definitely be affected, how soon will you be able to detect the difference between their normal absent mindedness and impairment due to nitrogen narcosis? you probably cannot predict.

Nitrogen narcosis affects your decision making abilities and abilities to undertake tasks underwater and make sensible decisions, that is why you look out for the symptoms and take action when you see them, so for me the critical point is that if your friend suffered from absent mindedness to such an extent that you can't tell the difference between that and nitrogen narcosis they are probably not a safe diver in the first place because they are going to forget to check their remaining gas, check depth, stick to the dive plan, or even remember to stay with their buddy!.

If their absent mindedness is not that bad normally then you should be watching them as normal and when you see that sort of abnormal behaviour you can ascribe it to narcosis and act accordingly.

So in short I think your friend is likely to suffer NN same as anyone else, I doubt it will make them any more or less forgetful, the same factors such as cold, tiredness, poor visibility etc. are likely to be factors in how susceptible they are on a particular dive, but theoretically they may suffer from NN shallower if whatever causes their normal forgetfulness is working on the same biological factors as NN affects, but that is entirely speculation, and not as far as I know backed by any research or facts. - Phil

 

[seeker242]

Does narcosis have the similar effect to laughing gas? AKA Nitrous oxide, AKA whippits?

 

[knotical]

Does narcosis have the similar effect to laughing gas? AKA Nitrous oxide, AKA whippits?

I realize you’re joking (based on the smiley) but it’s a valid question that comes up occasionally. The answer for the most part, is no.
They are different chemically. Nitrous Oxide is N₂O and Nitrogen of course is N₂.
Many of the effects are different. For example, one of the salient effects of N₂O is insensitivity to pain, but I’ve not heard that mentioned in relation to nitrogen narcosis.

 

[TMHeimer]

Difficult question. I have notes all over the house to remind me to do things. I do remember the important things, but prefer not to clutter my mind with other things/chores. Don't know if this qualifies as absent mindedness, but I can't recall any noticable narcosis below 100', though we all know some always exists.

 

[Phil_C]

Does narcosis have the similar effect to laughing gas? AKA Nitrous oxide, AKA whippits?

Perhaps asked tongue in cheek? but in short no - as knotical says they are different gases, and the effect on the body works a different way, Nitrous oxide is absorbed into the bloodstream, and is taken up in the system and gives you a high, as well as having the analgesic effect used as a painkiller. It also takes TIME to disperse from your system.

The effect of nitrogen narcosis (NN) is brought on the the increased partial pressure of nitrogen in your system, probably affecting the central nervous system. Different people experience nitrogen narcosis differently, and can have different 'trips' on different days.

For example I have a friend who gets a goofy grin on his face and starts to sing or hum to himself and thinks the world is wonderful when he gets narcosis, he seems to quite enjoy himself. But it is also frequent that NN can make you feel depressed, paranoid, or panicky and worried for no apparent reason. In my case when I have noticed the effects in myself it is usually the latter - I start to wonder just what the h*ll I am doing and question why I am there, and start to get anxious to end the dive.

The other big difference between the two effects is that it doesn't matter how long you remain at the depth - with NN the effect does not seem to wear off, but when you ascend it goes away immediately that the partial pressure of NN drops below whatever the trigger point was*, there is no time involved with 'flushing' the effect from your system. - Phil.



*NN gradually affects you and gets worse with increased depth, but often there seems to be a 'point' where the effects escalate.

 

[oldschoolto]

I know some people don't like this being said and don't believe it... But, before mix gas diving we would learn to dive with NN.. Some divers you would be naturals at diving narcd... Others were more like the drunk friend in the bar bathroom..

Jim..

 

[RJP]

but I can't recall any noticable narcosis below 100', though we all know some always exists.

BELOW 100ft... or ABOVE?

 

[dmaziuk]

Don't know if this qualifies as absent mindedness, but I can't recall any noticable narcosis below 100'

Either it does or they have some seriously good nitrogen where you dive below 100'.

 

[TMHeimer]

BELOW 100ft... or ABOVE?

I haven't noticed narcosis between depths of surface to 130', but I've read that it is noticeable at 100' for a fair number of people, and for some considerably shallower than that. I wonder if there is a precise shallow depth where there is none at all?