Everyone that has taken a basic Scuba course should have learned about nitrogen narcosis.
Those that have taken the advanced surely will have learned about it and may even felt it. Depending on your instructor they may or may not have gone into depth on how it works.
Nitrogen narcosis is when a diver gets to a certain depth and a chemical reaction happens that causes the diver to act differently.
This could be physiological like being confused poor judgment and a sense of euphoria. These are just a few symptoms that could arise. The cause of nitrogen narcosis is actually not known and still being researched.
This article is about nitrogen narcosis for recreational scuba and freediving.
When tech diving, or freediving to great depth there is less science on how it works and more risk.
So dive within your limits and use a dive computer at all times to stay safe.
What are Possible Symptoms of Nitrogen Narcosis?
These are some of the most common symptoms that one may have if they experience narcosis.
For example, I have dived to over 50 meters in both Scuba and freediving and have never felt symptoms., everyone will vary.
In most reported cases divers say that nitrogen narcosis feels like they’re uncomfortably drunk or dazed/ confused.
This is visible to those around them as well. Common symptoms of nitrogen narcosis include but are not limited to:
- Lack of judgment
- Having trouble concentrating
- Short-term memory loss
- Sense of euphoria
- Being disoriented
- Reduced muscle function
- Confusion
- In severe cases hallucination
Does Depth affect the Severness of Narcosis?
I know people that are been “hit” by nitrogen narcosis at 30 ft (10 meters)
Below are some common symptoms that people have reported at specific depths. This is all anecdotal and just based on what other divers have reported.
- 0-33(0-10M): Nothing
- 33 to 100ft (10-30M)- Slight euphoria possibly some confusion
- 100 to 166f (30m to 50M)- Slowed responses and response time, anxiety, and fearlessness.
- 166+:Confusion, having trouble concentrating, loss of memory, super sensitivity, dizziness, euphoria, depression, and in the worst case unconsciousness.
“The Rapture of the Deep”
Narcosis has often been called the “rapture of the deep” and divers like to compare the narcosis to a feeling of pleasant drunkenness (some love getting to that certain depth. The “Martini Rule” is something some divers use to estimate the effects of narcosis during a dive.
It will depend on who you speak to but the “Martini Rule” is that for every 30 or 60FT (10-20M) of depth, a diver experiences the narcotic effect of drinking one martini. This is all hearsay and by no means should be followed.
It goes by many other names and here are some of my favorite.
- Narced
- Narked
- Rapture of the deep
- The martini effect
- Inert gas narcosis
Are some people more prone to nitrogen narcosis?
Nitrogen narcosis can affect anyone and everyone even experienced divers that have never had any issues.
The risk of this happening is higher to get nitrogen narcosis if you:
- Are diving multiple times a day
- Drink alcohol or do drugs before diving
- Are very stressed
- Have been tired and fatigued
- Are cold before and during your dive
- Slept a little to not at all the night before
So if you are planning to do deep dives make sure to be relaxed, well rested, hydrated, and have the proper gear for the temperature.
When Does Narcosis Usually Occur?
Nitrogen narcosis often happens during the middle of your deep dive. So this is why you need to always be in contact with your dive buddy and know how they dive.
Be aware of the conditions of the area and have a good briefing beforehand if you have never dove with this person before.
If it does happen during the dive, calm the diver, ascend slowly, and do your safety stop as long as it is safe before getting on the boat.
How do you treat Nitrogen Narcosis?
The main treatment for nitrogen narcosis is to get out of the water and breath pure O2 if available. If the symptoms are not severe you can do a longer saftey stop at a shallow depth with your dive buddy to get out all of the nitrogen.
Be wary of this for future dives and you may need to use different mixtures of gases to combat these issues. Doing this though could increase your chances of getting decompression sickness (aka the bends). So speak to a doctor and a dicing professional to figure out what will work best for you.
Does it Cause Long-Term Issues?
Nitrogen Narcosis is not uncommon and rarely has long-term side effects but you should consult a professional if it happens to you. You will want to get emergency treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms after coming back to the water’s surface and it does not sort itself out.
- Severe headache
- General malaise
- Tendon, joint, or muscle pain
- Swelling of Joints
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Having trouble breathing
- Seeing double
- Difficulty speaking
Is Nitrogen Narcosis Same as the Bends?
Nitrogen narcosis and the bends are sometimes confused with each other. They are very different but could overlap in some cases as both arise from the involvement of nitrogen in scuba diving.
