How Narcotic Is Oxygen?

**wedivebc** · 3rd September 2006, 13:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

Sit in a chamber on O2 and see how you feel on the air breaks. If you feel narked during the air breaks then O2 is not as narcotic for you as nitrogen.

I would be very surprised if anyone felt narcosis from a PPN2 that would be safe to breath in O2. I usually don't feel any effects before about PPN2 of 3.5

Simon Mitchell · 3rd September 2006, 19:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict)

Simon,

Is it not conceivable that the "missing nitrogen induced narcotic effect" is replaced by an "oxygen induced narcotic effect" and thereby the overall narcotic effect is approximately the same with both air and Nitrox?

Regards,
Randy

Hi Randy,

See my first post. What I have written is based on a synthesis of the evidence available to date. It is not my opinion. Trouble is, there is not much, and it comes from obscure (but nevertheless published) sources. There is nothing from contemporary diving studies which is why Dave's work will be interesting. But make no mistake, the weight of currently available evidence favours a greater narcotic effect from nitrogen over the relevant range of PO2 and PN2. What you have said above is a line being sold by some instructors who were no doubt told it by their instructors, and it appears based on little more than a comparison of narcotic potential as predicted by lipid solubility.

Regards,

Simon M

3rd September 2006, 13:03	#21 (permalink)
wedivebc Dave Tomblin Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,444	Re: How Narcotic Is Oxygen? Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) Sit in a chamber on O2 and see how you feel on the air breaks. If you feel narked during the air breaks then O2 is not as narcotic for you as nitrogen. I would be very surprised if anyone felt narcosis from a PPN2 that would be safe to breath in O2. I usually don't feel any effects before about PPN2 of 3.5 __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
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3rd September 2006, 19:09	#22 (permalink)
Simon Mitchell New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 177	Re: How Narcotic Is Oxygen? Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict) Simon, Is it not conceivable that the "missing nitrogen induced narcotic effect" is replaced by an "oxygen induced narcotic effect" and thereby the overall narcotic effect is approximately the same with both air and Nitrox? Regards, Randy Hi Randy, See my first post. What I have written is based on a synthesis of the evidence available to date. It is not my opinion. Trouble is, there is not much, and it comes from obscure (but nevertheless published) sources. There is nothing from contemporary diving studies which is why Dave's work will be interesting. But make no mistake, the weight of currently available evidence favours a greater narcotic effect from nitrogen over the relevant range of PO2 and PN2. What you have said above is a line being sold by some instructors who were no doubt told it by their instructors, and it appears based on little more than a comparison of narcotic potential as predicted by lipid solubility. Regards, Simon M
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