How Do You Experience Narcosis?

[AB8CD]

It has been interesting to read in other threads comments about the perils or even strange enjoyment of narcosis. I know this is a topic with some strong opinions (like many of our topics). Since this is relevant to all of us who dive I am curious how others have experienced this effect.

In warm, clear open water at 186 ft on air I thought I was fine until I tried to make sense of my computer and for a moment just "saw" the numbers without understanding the data. It took a moment to "focus" my mind, first on tank pressure, then depth, then make a decision to ascend.

Obviously, in an overhead environment an immediate ascent might not have been possible... and the delayed mental processing could have had disastrous consequences in a moment that required sudden problem solving skills.

While I am paying for college for two children I am restricted from Trimix certification... although I am looking forward to the experience. In the meantime, birthdays and a sedentary lifestyle will keep me shallower.

[RN]

Narrowed perception, slowed thinking process, slowed response time.

My first dive in Lower Lower OG was on air. I just went into the first room, never back to the T and the circuit. That room appeared very dark and small and I was afraid of making a wrong move and silting it out. The next time I was diving 'mix and it was a completely different cave. The room was large (3 of us side by side) and there was light colored limestone on the walls and floor. I even discussed this with the person I dove it on air with (he hasn't been back there on 'mix) and he questioned whether I was in the same cave. He remembers it the same as I did on that first dive.

I also have difficulty doing simple calculations. I tried to recalculate 1/3s on a deep dive and screwed it up. To put it in perspective, I can do somewhat difficult calculations in my head. A simple calculation of 1/3s isn't an issue for me...unless I'm on deep air.

For me, it's just not worth it.

[LCF]

In Puget Sound, it's anxiety, perceptual narrowing, and eventually frank hallucinations.

In a cave, it's bovine stupidity -- not noticing things, not properly interpreting the things I do notice, and making abysmally stupid decisions.

[argyris]

Narrowed perception, slowed thinking process, slowed response time.

[mfascuba]

Paranoia, and when I hear my heart beating in my ears it's time to go.

Mark

[mag3]

It has been interesting to read in other threads comments about the perils or even strange enjoyment of narcosis. I know this is a topic with some strong opinions (like many of our topics). Since this is relevant to all of us who dive I am curious how others have experienced this effect.

Funny you mention it. Being only Adv. Nitrox/Deco at present, when I dive deep it's to the 120-135fsw range (deepest is 141 ffw @ 40 fathom grotto). And every time I go down, I look for signs of being narc'ed. As others have said, "narrowed perception," paranoia etc. But I don't ever seem to notice them which, in itself, could be a symptom, so I've been told. I manage to do all my task management right when I should, and do the proper ascent and any required deco. Every time I aruge to other diving peers "Gee, I don't think I've been narc'ed," they fire back "Oh, yes you have!!!" So I accept their word on faith. Such is the nature of the Narc, they say.

Maybe I haven't yet experienced the "Dark Narc." And I've been doing all I can to avoid that.

So for any of you that have, what's a "Dark Narc" like?

[Caver95]

Funny you mention it. Being only Adv. Nitrox/Deco at present, when I dive deep it's to the 120-135fsw range (deepest is 141 @ 40 fathoms). And every time I go down, I look for signs of being narc'ed. As others have said, "narrowed perception," paranoia etc. But I don't ever seem to notice them which, in itself, could be a symptom, so I've been told. I manage to do all my task management right when I should, and do the proper ascent and any required deco. Every time I aruge to other diving peers "Gee, I don't think I've been narc'ed," they fire back "Oh, yes you have!!!" So I accept their word on faith. Such is the nature of the Narc, they say.

Maybe I haven't yet experienced the "Dark Narc." And I've been doing all I can to avoid that.

So for any of you that have, what's a "Dark Narc" like?

I realized I should not be diving deep on air when at 140 I was running a reel, I could do it ok the cave was getting deeper so I cut the line and went to tie it off, I tied a silly non knot and dropped my knife, I later found it 180.

I have been deeper on air in the bahamas, than I have ever been on mix. It was warm clear water, I could read the name on the boat. but when I add work I notice the narcosis much more.

[mag3]

I realized I should not be diving deep on air when at 140 I was running a reel, I could do it ok the cave was getting deeper so I cut the line and went to tie it off, I tied a silly non knot and dropped my knife, I later found it 180.

I have been deeper on air in the bahamas, than I have ever been on mix. It was warm clear water, I could read the name on the boat. but when I add work I notice the narcosis much more.

Thanks. Just to clarify, I use EAN28 mostly for that kind of diving. They call it "Jersey Mix," (used primarily on the 110-135fsw wrecks up here). And of course, pure O2 for the 20fsw and shallower stops.

[icestac]

I've done my best to avoid narcosis in the overhead. It is easy enough to get the right gas. So I can't really speak for how it affects me in the overhead vs. OW.

I have done a bit of deeper stuff in OW and I usually start feeling a bit fuzzy around 105' on Air. For me, my head feels a bit "fizzy". I don't have any "drunk" feelings. My actions become more deliberate and I get a sense of hyperawareness. I don't ever feel impared, but I do know my reaction times are slowed down as I continue to go deeper. I have never had any negative feelings or experiences while being narc'd.

In our local quarry (max depth 150' @ ~46F), it is interesting to do a dive on a light nitrox or Air to get a little narc'd and then do the same dive with a proper trimix. The difference in clarity is so substantial.

Cheers,
Jeff

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I've felt narc'd anywhere as shallow as 90' if I'm working hard. I've dived air deeper, and likely will, but I'm picky with the conditions that I'll do that in...