Narcotic values of different gases

[CDNScubaMoose]

Just wondering if anyone could point me to some information about the different narcotic effects of different gases? I have heard that Carbon dioxide is 30 times more narcotic then nitrogen and I've heard that Argon is highly narcotic (yes I know argon is for dry suit inflation - not breathing). So just wondering if someone has that kind of information.

Thanks

 

[loosebits]

Off the top of my head O2 is considered as narcotic as N2 and He is considered 30% as narcotic. I've seen a list somewhere for some other more exotic gasses but I can't seem to find it.

 

[CompuDude]

Looking for a wishlist? ;-)

 

[wedivebc]

Off the top of my head O2 is considered as narcotic as N2 .

by whom? I don't think that is a universal consensus

 

[rjack321]

http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7599&highlight=narcotic+gas

He is a bit less than 25% as narcotic as N2 via a lipid solubility guesstimate.

 

[*Floater*]

These are Bunsen Solubility Coefficients in Olive Oil, which are used to infer the narcotic potential of different gasses, though it's just a theory. The figures are from Getting Clear on the Basics by Jarrod Jablonski (p. 60)

Helium 0.015
Hydrogen 0.042
Nitrogen 0.052
Oxygen 0.110*
Argon 0.15
Krypton 0.44
Carbon Dioxide 1.34
Nitrous Oxide 1.56
Xenon 1.9

* oxygen is metabolized so some people don't consider it narcotic, others assume it's about as narcotic as nitrogen. I saw some of the leading experts in this field discuss the topic on GUE's Mysterious Malady DVD and if I recall correctly, the consensus was that they didn't know, but most were leaning towards not narcotic.

 

[amascuba]

From the GUE Fundamentals of Technical diving book here is what it has:

A list 1 - 5. 5 being least narcotic and 0 being the most narcotic

Nitrogen: 1
Helium: 4.26
Oxygen: Likely similar to nitrogen
Hydrogen: 1.83
Neon: 3.58
Argon: 1.83

That just a list of alterative gases that could be used for breathing mixtures. How they came up with the number scale I'd have to go back and look. If I get time I'll go back and see if they explain their scale.

 

[loosebits]

by whom? I don't think that is a universal consensus

By some people I suppose (GUE amoung them apparently).. the use of the word "considered" was intended to convey that statement was by no means authoritative.

 

[ianr33]

From the GUE Fundamentals of Technical diving book here is what it has:

A list 1 - 5. 5 being least narcotic and 0 being the most narcotic

Nitrogen: 5
Helium: 4.26
Oxygen: Likely similar to nitrogen
Hydrogen: 1.83
Neon: 3.58
Argon: 1.83

That just a list of alterative gases that could be used for breathing mixtures. How they came up with the number scale I'd have to go back and look. If I get time I'll go back and see if they explain their scale.

Err..... according to your post helium is more narcotic than nitrogen

 

[Rainer]

I was wondering about the above, too.