Nitrogen Narcosis Effects

[Stryker]

Aside from the typical answer of what narcosis does to your body (feel like you are intoxicated and slowed motor skills, ect), what are they PHYSICAL effects of narcosis? I realize that these go away immediately upon acending, but what physical cues can you use if you dont feel like you are "mentally impaired" by narcosis (just like everyone thinks they are ok to drive when drunk until they fall down the stairs HAHA)?

Thanks for the info

 

[BigJetDriver]

Aside from the typical answer of what narcosis does to your body (feel like you are intoxicated and slowed motor skills, ect), what are the PHYSICAL effects of narcosis? I realize that these go away immediately upon acending, but what physical cues can you use if you dont feel like you are "mentally impaired" by narcosis (Just like everyone thinks they are ok to drive when drunk until they fall down the stairs HAHA)?

Thanks for the info

The clues are much the same for you as when you are snockered. They very a bit from person to person, but if you look for the same symptoms as when you've had "tee martoonis" you'll be in the ballpark.

Rob Davie

 

[Stryker]

Thanks for the nice laugh you gave me at work (night shift)... Now I know this is kind of diverting from my original question, but does drinking before diving have the same type of effect as drinking before flying? Because I would ASSUME that hypoxia only occurs when you stop breathing when diving. (I am also a pilot). Or does alcohol just help as a catalyst for DCS?

 

[dilligaf368]

To answer directly Your question from the US Navy diving manule Vol.1-2.6.3 "Nitrogen has anesthetic properties that become progressively more severe with increasing air pressure". Again in Vol.1-3-10.1.1 "Disregard for personal safety is the greatest hazard of nitrogen narcosis". 3-10.1.2 nitrogen may first become noticeable at depths exceeding 100 fsw. "Some divers, particularly those experienced in deep operations with air, can often work as deep as 200 fsw without serious difficulty".
That is about all the Navy diving manule says about the effects. How it works requires an MD. If You are interested in more information or read it Yourself then You might want to purchase the USDM the information is in Volume 1 so You need not buy the complete set of 5 volumes. I have it on CD. It may be more than most SCUBA divers need or want. It does come in handy for reference material. Bill

 

[dilligaf368]

Oops! I should have read all of Your question....It's late for me so........According to USDM the order of effect....: Loss of judgment or skill
A false feeling of well-being
Lack of concern for job or safety
Apparent stupidity
Inappropriate Laughter
Tingling and vague numbness of the lips,gums, and legs.
"abnormal behavior such as removing the regulator mouthpiece or swimming to unsafe depths without regard to decompression sickness or air supply. There is no specific treatment for nitrogen narcosis, the diver must be brought to shallower depths where the effects are not felt".
In Navy diving school the Master Diver always spouted "REDUCE THE PARTIAL PRESSURE OF N2". I hope that this helps in Your investigation.........Bill

 

[Diver0001]

Or does alcohol just help as a catalyst for DCS?

There doesn't seem to be any medical evidence that alcohol under pressure acts *directly* as a catalyst for DCS. Indirectly it does, however because its a diuretic (sp?) and dehydration *is* a catalyst for DCS.

That still doesn't mean that drinking and diving is smart, just that this aspect doesn't seem to be a big problem.

R..

 

[Stryker]

so "TECHNICALLY" if you were well hydrated and intoxicated (provided you could manage the task loading) you could successfully complete a/multiple dive(s) without increased risk of DCS?

(not that I would EVER attempt something so stupid, but its always fun to think of the "what ifs")

 

[Diver0001]

so "TECHNICALLY" if you were well hydrated and intoxicated (provided you could manage the task loading) you could successfully complete a/multiple dive(s) without increased risk of DCS?

(not that I would EVER attempt something so stupid, but its always fun to think of the "what ifs")

That's how I understand it. The wisdom of doing so, as you pointed out, is another matter.

R..

 

[emtdan]

Are there any permanant effects of being narked? Any residual effects (other then those of stupidity) after ascending?

 

[Firebrand]

It is my understanding that the Rapture of the Deep (a term for Nitrogen Narcosis coined by Jaques Cousteau) is caused by nitrogen loading (or partial pressure of N2) on tissues, specifically around the nervous system. Where DCS is the result of that N2 forming bubbles in the tissues themselves. There are no documented (or known) residual effects of Nitrogen Narcosis. Unlike alcohol that causes liver damage, Nitrogen is not "filtered" through the liver, has no purpose in the respitory process, and therefore does not cause any long term effects. The trauma to the tissues is caused by DCS "hits" and are a separate physiological result than Narcosis.

Similar to alcohol, Narcosis affects everyone differently. For instance, Diver A could go down to 130 fsw without any signs or symptoms of narcosis, where Diver B (with similar build as Diver A) can go to 100 fsw, and be heavily narced. If Diver A and Diver B return to the same location the next day, Diver B may do well down to 130 fsw where Diver A can get heavily narced at 100fsw. What is important is that each diver is responsible for his/her own safety, and retains the right to limit the depth and time of the dive.

Similarly, there is new research data that suggests certain people are more likely to get a "hit" of DCS than others. That has to do with a PFO (or hole in the wall of the heart between the left and right ventricles) allowing the microbubbles to pass back into the blood stream without even making it to the lungs for off gassing.

The research is out there, never stop learning. If you think you may have a PFO, have yourself examined by a dive doctor.