Narc'd?

[CI Diver]

Quick question that I can't seem to find the answer to....

Did my first deep dive over the weekend, 95 ft. I can't seem to remember the first portion of the dive...
I remember looking at computer and seeing 90 feet, then looking again and being at 75 ft -
that a common symptom of Narcossis?

 

[H2Andy]

yah... basically, narcosis makes you "stupid" and puts you out of it, partially

i have noticed that the first few deep dives are the worst, and you sort of
learn to compensate later

(note, you're still narced, you just cope with it better)

here's a pretty good article on the subject:

http://www.scuba-doc.com/n2narc.htm

some of the stuff there is not quite accurate. for example, you don't get
narced once you pass 100 feet. in fact, you are narced pretty much the moment
you start descending; it's just that the effects don't become noticeable
until you are much deeper (shallower for some people)

 

[Stoo]

I remember looking at computer and seeing 90 feet, then looking again and being at 75 ft -that a common symptom of Narcossis?

Short-term memory loss can be a symptom of Narcosis, but it would be unusual to have these effects at these depths. I would be concerned that perhaps your breathing is somewhat "restricted" possibly allowing a buildup of CO2. Were you breathing "normally"? Was your suit too tight? Was your regulator tuned properly?

As H2Andy mentioned, the first "deep" dive comes with a little baggage... possibly including a little anxiety. I would be interested in knowing your previous diving history? Was this 95' dive a fair jump up (down?) from your previous dives?

 

[CI Diver]

Yes - it was a decent jump - was also first boat and first deep
I was nervous for sure and I know my breathing was far faster than usual

Thanks for reply and info!

 

[DandyDon]

Stoo is far more experienced than I am, but I'd say yeah - some narcosis in play. Combined with the excitement, not unusual. Like Andy said, you'll get better with practice.

 

[Stoo]

Even mild narcosis symptoms are magnified when other factors come into play: stress, cold, equipment issues and so on. Your progression in diving should be a series of baby steps. The experience you gain with these "work-up" dives will serve you well as your hours rack up...

I always used to tell my students that "Experience is what you gain immediately after you needed it!". I won't take credit for the phrase, but I don't remember where I first heard it. It seems appropriate in this case...

 

[Walter]

It's common even at that depth.

 

[CI Diver]

Went out this morning, did 91' and no problem whatsoever!

I was also completely comfortable with who I was with and didn't have myself all worked up!

thanks for the tips and info!!

 

[DandyDon]

Went out this morning, did 91' and no problem whatsoever!

I was also completely comfortable with who I was with and didn't have myself all worked up!

thanks for the tips and info!!

​

It can still happen at different depths, in different ways, at different times, so don't let yourself get cocky. It actually starts gradually at you first descend, increasing as you get deeper - often noticeable around 100 ft or so.

 

[Stoo]

​

It can still happen at different depths, in different ways, at different times, so don't let yourself get cocky.

Truer words have never been spoken! Even after 32 years and 3500 dives, I still manage to scare the bejeezuz out of myself every now and again. That's what keeps things interesting!

All the same, progress gradually and you'll never regret it....