Nitrogen narcosis: the dangerous euphoria at depth

Nitrogen narcosis is a phenomenon that occurs at depth and makes you feel a joyful euphoria, but it weakens your judgment and puts you at risk.

What is nitrogen narcosis

At depths that usually start from 30 meters, the partial pressure of nitrogen rises in a way that makes it act on the brain like a mild anesthetic, similar to a light effect of alcohol.

Symptoms

• A feeling of sudden euphoria and happiness
• Weak focus and difficulty with decisions
• Unjustified laughter and excessive ease
• In severe cases, mild hallucination and indifference to danger

Why it is dangerous

The euphoria makes you forget the rules. Divers who got nitrogen narcosis saw safety where there was danger, went deeper than they should, or ignored their buddy’s signals.

How to deal with it

• Ascend a few meters and the symptoms will disappear immediately
• Tell your buddy if you feel symptoms
• Do not try to resist it or continue, because ascent is the only solution

Prevention

Gradual progress in depths accustoms the body, and some people are less sensitive than others, but no one is fully immune at greater depths.

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Euphoria at depth is a warning signal, not an invitation to relax. Ascend while you are fine.