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>I've been diving now for about six years. In that time I've been narked >only twice, but I'm a bit puzzled about the circumstances. > >Both times narcosis set in at about 120 feet. Both times were while >diving Gilboa Stone Quarry. The puzzling thing is that I've been past >120 numerous times at other places without problems. I know narcosis >doesn't follow very well defined rules, but is this normal? Yep, I've been "fine" at 160fsw, even 185fsw in clear water with good vis, but really been narc'd at 145fsw in dark murky water. >It concerns me because I'm not one of those who gets happy or euphoric. > I get pretty paranoid, and my buoyancy control goes right out the >window. This last occurance was just this past weekend. I was fine >right up to 120 feet. Or at least that's when I recognized it. I >realized that I was very nervous, and decided to head for the down line. > By the time I hit the line, only a few feet away, I had ascended 17 >feet and set off the ascent alarm on my computer. Once again, I agree, I usually noticed symptoms of fear etc. Seldom do I experience euphoric symptoms. This has occurred on very deep dives in clear water however -- at 185fsw I had a slight buzz, and at 228fsw in dark murky cold water I had no conception of time, space etc. It was much like being very drunk. >I am normally a VERY cool headed diver. I have been in at least two >emergency situations. One involving a buddy and one myself. Both times >I coolly handled the problem and calmly made a safe ascent, including a >safety stop. Both were near out of air situations. That's why my loss >of nerve, and more critically control, bothers me so bad. > >What kinds of things contribute to Narcosis? Are there any steps I can >take to reduce my risk of Narcosis? Is it normal to hit it at 120 one >day and not at 140 the next? CO2 buildup contributes; dive trimix on deeper dives. >Incidentally, I'm planning on taking courses next year in Technical >Nitrox and Trimix. Will trimix help solve the narcosis problem at >depths beyond Nitrox's shallower limits? Yes, Trimix solves the narcosis problem. It's worth the expense of the He on those dives that could otherwise be a problem due to depth, conditions etc. Harold H. Gartner III 6900 Via Alba Camarillo, California 93012 home: (805) 482-9743 home fax: (805) 987-6804 office: (805) 644-1061 E-Mail: hgartner@ra*.or* CompuServe 71470,1423
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