Definition

Noun: A state of impaired mental and physical function, similar to alcohol intoxication, caused by the narcotic effect of high partial pressures of nitrogen gas dissolved in the bloodstream and tissues. This condition is a potential hazard for divers breathing compressed air at significant depths.

Usage

The term is used specifically in the context of diving medicine and underwater physiology. It describes a physiological condition, not a general state of confusion. * It is typically used as an uncountable noun (e.g., "risk of nitrogen narcosis"). * It can be used with verbs like suffer from, experience, avoid, and cause.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Divers must be aware of the symptoms of nitrogen narcosis, which can include poor judgment and euphoria.
  • The onset of nitrogen narcosis often begins at depths below 30 meters.
  • Using helium-based gas mixtures helps to prevent nitrogen narcosis on deep dives.

Advanced Usage

• "Rapture of the deep": A colloquial and older term for nitrogen narcosis, emphasizing the sometimes pleasurable or dreamlike initial sensations.
  • The diver described a feeling of "rapture of the deep" before his judgment became severely impaired.
• "Narcotic effect of nitrogen": A phrase describing the mechanism behind the condition.
  • The plan called for switching to a trimix gas to mitigate the narcotic effect of nitrogen.

Variants and Related Words

• Narcosis (n): A general term for a state of stupor, drowsiness, or unconsciousness produced by a chemical substance. Nitrogen narcosis is a specific type of inert gas narcosis.
• Inert gas narcosis (n): The broader category of narcosis caused by breathing gases like nitrogen, argon, or hydrogen under pressure.

Synonyms

• Inert gas narcosis (more general technical term)
• Rapture of the deep (colloquial/slang)

Related Phrases

• To get narced (slang verb): To experience nitrogen narcosis.
  • The diver signaled that he was starting to get narced, so the team began their ascent.
• Martini's law (informal rule of thumb): A humorous, non-scientific adage suggesting that every 15 meters of depth in seawater breathing air is equivalent to the effect of drinking one martini on an empty stomach.

Noun

1. confused or stuporous state caused by high levels of dissolved nitrogen in the blood
   • deep-sea divers can suffer nitrogen narcosis from breathing air under high pressure