Nitrogen Narcosis Effects

[Dragon2115]

How do they test for a PFO?

 

[Firebrand]

A PFO can usually be found with a sonogram or an MRI. It is non-intrusive.

Here is a link to a recently published article about PFOs.
http://www.scubadiving.com/training/your_body/be_heart_smart/

 

[uscgrescueswimmer]

from what i read and have been told. Its like when your in the pressure chamber and take your mask off and they have you do those stupid little 2+2= 7 games and then save your self. I guess is like ascending.

P.s. what do you fly.

 

[radinator]

from what i read and have been told. Its like when your in the pressure chamber and take your mask off and they have you do those stupid little 2+2= 7 games and then save your self. I guess is like ascending.

Those pressure chamber rides are interesting. I did one at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio to find out my own hypoxic symptoms. While some of the others around me had things like having an itchy face, having blue fingernails, and the like, I am unfortunate in that my personal hypoxic effect is that I start to get stupid. It wasn't bad, though. During the duration of the test I could still do the math problems and such, but I did notice that I had to work a harder. At the time I likened it to "thinking through molassas".

I guess I'm luckier than one guy, though, who turned into a grinning giggling drooling idiot (no, it wasn't me!). Someone had to put his O2 mask back on for him.

Also, if nobody has experienced an explosive decompression (the airplane kind, not the diving kind (ouch!!)) it's interesting how the air instantly turns to fog.

 

[molksmith]

As far as Physical and mental symptoms, certain types of calculation are harder or take longer for me. MY big symptom is that I feel REALLY GREAT!!! Like SUPERMAN!!!
That is dangerous. I can see how people take more risks because you feel supremely confident or at least I do...
Normally because I haven't made so many dives (under 100) I tend to be extra careful, always do my buddy checks, keep an eye on my buddy, etc....

I know that when I start becoming more cavalier that I am narc'ed....

D

 

[DI_Guy]

The deepest I've been is 119 FSW and I can't say I have experienced being "narc'd" .
I was very alert and aware of my environment ( constantly monitoring my no deco time). I have noticed at that depth, its very quiet. ( maybe I was narc'd )

 

[MikeFerrara]

(just like everyone thinks they are ok to drive when drunk until they fall down the stairs HAHA)?

Falling down the stairs is an indication that a person shouldn't be walking (at least on stairs but fortunately we can drive sitting down.

My approach to narcosis is to splurge and spend the bucks on helium if I want to dive deep. I've done it both ways and by far prefer to just avoid being narced.

 

[MikeFerrara]

The deepest I've been is 119 FSW and I can't say I have experienced being "narc'd" .
I was very alert and aware of my environment ( constantly monitoring my no deco time). I have noticed at that depth, its very quiet. ( maybe I was narc'd )

The excessive monitoring of gauges seems to be a symptom.

It's no quiter deep but things like bubbles sound different as you get deeper.

 

[MASS-Diver]

The excessive monitoring of gauges seems to be a symptom.
.

Yup, a very common one.

People often think they are very alert (checking their SPG every 5 seconds) but lose site of the big picture - they stop tracking their buddy etc.

Often one does know how impaired they are untill there is a problem.

Furthermore, the role of Co2 can not be stressed enough. If you want to know what's it's liked to be narced, go down around 100' and swim as fast as you can for 30 or 40' - once the Co2 hits you, you are trashed.

 

[Hank49]

I don't recall reading about or experiencing any effects of excessive CO2 from diving except perhaps a headache if you skip breath from the build up. Have I forgotten something?