Nitrogen Narcosis

Nitrogen narcosis is a condition that describes a state of mental and physical impairment that may affect a diver at depth. It is caused by excessive nitrogen that may build up in the brain on descent (usually rapid). It is more common with deeper dives to greater than 50 Meters salt water. If you may recall, some doctors or dentists have used inhaled nitrogen, commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” as a general anesthetic. The mental and behavioral changes of excessive nitrogen exposure may include overconfidence and risk taking, poor attention or concentration, memory impairment, hallucinations, and sleepiness. Vision is commonly affected, with some describing tunnel vision or blurred vision. Physical movements may be uncoordinated and clumsy. In essence, the diver with nitrogen narcosis has become “drunk” under water. The essential risk is due to underwater accidents that may occur due to the diver’s poor judgment and/or physical impairment. Fortunately, narcosis resolves rapidly with controlled ascent.