Nitrogen Narcosis and Nitrox

[Packhorse]

Question is does diving nitrox or trimix lower the effect of narcosis?
In the SSi nitrox book it says" You should not count on experiencing less narcosis or impairment". But if this is the case how do deep (50m+) divers deal with it?
What are your personal experiences? Is it a measurable effect that you caculate like EAD or PPN ?
The book also states that the active ingredient in decongestants may act as o2 exciters but it does not state what this ingredient is. I asume its psudoephidrine. Is this correct or are there other drugs too?

 

[H2Andy]

trimix yes, nitrox no

 

[Rick Inman]

trimix yes, nitrox no

Because HE replaces the N2. Many say O2 is also narcotic.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Andy is absolutely correct, as usual. Well, most of the time. Trimix is amazing as far as lessening your narcosis. If you thought you were not that narc'ed on air, try Trimix.

 

[do it easy]

Trimix helps to some extent, but if there is a high workload, such as fast swimming, or task loading, my narcosis creeps back in.

I personally think that nitrox is more narcotic that air, but that is just my opinion.

 

[jrockosaurus]

oxygen breathed at higher than normal partial pressures also has a narcotic effect. so while you may lower your PN, your elevated PO2 adds to the buzz. same idea with trimix

 

[amascuba]

I still get a 'euphoric' feeling when diving on Nitrox at deeper depth, or closer to my mod of the mix anyways. As Rick said "Many say O2 is also narcotic". I'm not sure if there is any solid proof as of yet to support this, but it looks to be a growing trend that people are starting to treat O2 as being narcotic.

I'm sure I've been narced, but have never really noticed the symptoms in myself during the dives.

 

[Packhorse]

Thanks for the quick replys.

 

[cummings66]

The book also states that the active ingredient in decongestants may act as o2 exciters but it does not state what this ingredient is. I asume its psudoephidrine. Is this correct or are there other drugs too?

My Padi book says your guess is correct. That's why I no longer use it even though it was fantastic stuff for me.

 

[havnmonkey]

If you dive AIR time tables while on Nitrox it should lessen the effects of Nitrogen Narcosis; now O2 is, as stated above, a narcotic as well. Hey Mom we're all doing drugs!!!!