Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
Hi. I'm new to the techdiver list; I'd like to get some feedback to see
if others have noticed relatively subtle nitrogen narcosis.
It's only recently that I realize how pervasive narcosis is. For
example, I notice after diving 2-3 dives (well within rec limits), that
I tend to miss the right exit on the way home or make other similar such
minor mental errors for the next 8 hours or so.
I used to write this off as just "being tired", but I now think it is
residual narcosis. Interestingly, I've never really felt "narced" even
on the couple of dives where I've exceeded 150 feet depth.
Also, more anecdotal evidence; when I was on a night dive in Cozumel,
near the end I was starting to feel a little squirrelly. Couldn't
figure it out -- I'm not tense, not scared of night dives, generally a
very relaxed diver. My current theory is that there was just too much
information to process near the end of the dive and my narced brain was
feeling a bit overwhelmed -- I really had to concentrate not to tense
up. It was a long dive, and near the end there was a lot going on
around me, and it was hard to decide what to focus on.
Anyway, that's my theory: sub-clinical N2 narcosis impairs the higher
functions even at depths/times not thought of as narc territory (50 ft
for 50 min, say), and lingers long after the day's diving has ended.
I'm going to try Nitrox and see if I notice a difference.
I'd have to say I'm surprised by the insidiousness of this narcosis, if
that's what it is; I'm an experienced diver with over 100 dives and a
PADI DM rating, but I never really noticed the level of impairment
before. Makes you think about how dangerous "deep air" dives (of which
I've made a few) really must be.
Cam
--
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Cameron Banks 408-821-6314 cell
Applied Materials Account Manager 888-731-6502 pager
408-934-0500 office
408-934-0707 fax
Aera Corporation
422 S. Hillview Drive e-mail: cam@ae*.co*
Milpitas, CA 95035 http://www.massflow.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
Navigate by Author:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Subject Search Index]
[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]
[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]