Nitrogen Narcosis
Nitrogen Narcosis when scuba diving
A very common risk that is involved with scuba diving is Nitrogen Narcosis. Nitrogen Narcosis is a problem for divers that occur due to breathing of the compressed air and is also referred to as rapture of the deep. Situation of Nitrogen narcosis takes place when the diver dives below hundred feet. At this level of the oceans, the partial pressure of the nitrogen increases leading to severe changes in the mental state of the diver. If the diver feels unconscious at hundred feet deeper and still manages to swim three hundred feet down, the chances of the death of the diver increases. He may also suffer from blindness and stupor, which can prove to be very hazardous.
Causes of Nitrogen Narcosis when Scuba Diving
The Dalton's law of pressure states that the partial pressure of all component gases increase in the same ratio as the total pressure. This law works when a scuba diver swims deep under the water and the gases inside his body start acting in a different matter. With the increasing depth the partial pressure of nitrogen also increases and starts mixing in the blood. This nitrogen mixing in the blood starts affecting the nerves and so the diver feels blindness and unconsciousness, at that very moment.
Symptoms of Nitrogen Narcosis when Scuba Diving
Wooziness
Loss of balance
Euphoria
Giddiness
Disorientation
Loss of manual dexterity
Fixation of Ideas
Delayed reaction time
Treatment of Nitrogen Narcosis when Scuba Diving
Usually, when the scuba divers swim up at the surface of the water, the partial pressure of the nitrogen starts decreasing and the nitrogen that got mixed up with the blood at the deep sea beds relieve your nerves. When you reach the surface of the water you would not feel unconscious and the gases inside the body will get to normal. Still if you feel uncomfortable you can consult a doctor immediately.
So next time, keep in mind Nitrogen Narcosis when Scuba Diving and make your diving safer by following proper guidelines.
Summary
Scuba Diving is a wonderful water sport in which you get closer to aquatic life, but it involves greater risks in it. These risks can be very harmful at times causing some severe health hazards to the diver.