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While at the recent NSS-CDS workshop in Branford, a research scientist presented a rather unusual argument to me. On one level his theory seems to make sense. The implications of his theory are......well you'll see. I simply offer the theory up for comment without taking sides...yet. His theory goes something like this: N2 narcosis affects everyone at every depth to some degree. At shallow depths (<70ft) the effect is negligible among most divers and we barely notice it. As the dives get deeper (>150) we become noticably affected by the increased ppN2. [So far pretty standard stuff, everyone knows this. Here's where it gets interesting] We are not all affected the same amount, however. Persons with a high IQ are affected less than persons with a low IQ. Divers with IQs in the 130-160+ range have greater cognitive assets and posess the ability to mentally "get a grip" on the situation and think through the narcosis. Divers with more average IQs (90-120) cannot make this leap and simply become impaired. He was not suggesting that divers with high IQs do not become impaired, but rather that they have the ability to, at least partially, compensate for the impairment. An analogy he used was a computer that, having discovered some damaged circuits, simply re-routes the signals through other functional circuits. --End of Theory My experience in deeper dives is that some persons do indeed seem to just get stupid. While others are, at least outwardly, able to handle it with better focus. The implications seem to be that if this is indeed true, or even partially, an IQ test should be administered to anyone desiring to take one of the "deep air" courses. A score of 130 or better gets you in while persons of lesser mental ability have their c-cards stamped "DO NOT EXCEED 130 FEET." Any takers? This is a serious post! Win Remley Co-Publisher, DeepTech Journal deeptek@ao*.co*
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