To relieve nitrogen narcosis, ascend to a shallower depth

What is the recommended treatment for nitrogen narcosis?

• A. Take deep breaths
• B. Ascend until the feeling goes away
• C. Stay deep until symptoms subside
• D. Use supplemental oxygen

Answer: (B)

The recommended treatment for nitrogen narcosis is to ascend until the feeling goes away. Nitrogen narcosis occurs when a diver is exposed to high partial pressures of nitrogen, leading to symptoms similar to intoxication, such as impaired judgment and decreased motor skills. The primary cause of these symptoms is the increased concentration of nitrogen in the body due to the depth at which the diver is operating. Ascending to a shallower depth reduces the pressure on the body, which in turn decreases the partial pressure of nitrogen. This allows the nitrogen to be expelled from the body more effectively, leading to a rapid resolution of the narcotic effects. By moving to a shallower depth, divers can often relieve symptoms without further complications. The other options, such as taking deep breaths or staying at depth, do not address the issue effectively, as remaining at depth could worsen the narcosis. Using supplemental oxygen is not a direct treatment for nitrogen narcosis and is primarily used to treat other diving-related issues, such as decompression sickness, rather than the effects of nitrogen itself.

Nitrogen Narcosis: How to Respond When It Hits Underwater

If you’ve spent any time below the surface, you’ve probably heard about nitrogen narcosis. It’s that underwater “tipsy” feeling you get when the pressure ramps up and nitrogen starts acting a little too friendly with your brain. You might notice changes in judgment, slower reaction times, or simply a fuzzy sense that things aren’t quite right. It can be surprising, but it’s a normal part of operating at depth—and it’s fixable with a smart, quick move.

What is nitrogen narcosis, exactly?

Here’s the thing: the deeper you go, the higher the partial pressure of inert gases like nitrogen in your tissues. That pressure affects nerve cell function, which can dull your awareness and coordination. It’s not a single symptom, but a spectrum. Some divers feel a sudden sense of euphoria; others drift into confusion or misjudge distances. Either way, the brain is a little too relaxed for safe underwater work.

Symptoms aren’t a signal to panic. They’re a signal to adjust your plan.

What’s the recommended treatment?

The clear, straightforward answer is: ascend until the feeling goes away. That’s option B in the quiz, and it’s backed by diving physiology. Reducing the ambient pressure around you lowers the nitrogen’s narcotic effect, letting your brain clear out the excess nitrogen more quickly. In practical terms, that usually means moving to a shallower depth where the partial pressure of nitrogen is lower. Most divers experience relief quite rapidly once they’re back in shallower water.

A quick mental model helps here: the narcotic effect is tied to pressure. When you reduce the pressure by ascending, nitrogen becomes less “narcotic” to the nervous system, and the symptoms fade. It’s not about taking a certain number of breaths or waiting for your body to metabolize the nitrogen at depth. It’s about changing the physics of the environment you’re in.

Why not the other options?

• Take deep breaths (A): Breathing techniques matter for many things—CO2 buildup, buoyancy control, and overall calm. But taking deep breaths doesn’t reduce the nitrogen partial pressure. In fact, forcing air in under pressure can raise carbon dioxide levels or alter buoyancy in ways that complicate the situation. The narcosis won’t be cured by breathing patterns alone at depth.

• Stay deep until symptoms subside (C): This might sound logical to someone thinking, “Let the body adjust.” The problem is, narcosis doesn’t always fade with time at a fixed depth. It tends to persist or even worsen as you stay under pressure. Staying put doesn’t address the root cause, and it raises the risk of impaired judgment during critical tasks, which is a bad combo at depth.

• Use supplemental oxygen (D): Oxygen has its own important roles—especially for decompression, emergency scenarios, or certain sicknesses—but it’s not a direct treatment for nitrogen narcosis. In the context of narcosis, oxygen won’t reliably reverse the narcotic effect. It’s a lifesaver for other conditions, but for narcosis, the simplest, fastest remedy is to ascend.

What to actually do in the moment

If you notice narcosis creeping in, here’s a practical sequence you can rely on:

• Pause and breathe calmly: Don’t panic. Keep your buddy close and communicate with simple, clear signals. “I’m feeling narcosis—let’s ascend.” Clear communication makes the next steps safer for both of you.

• Check your depth and buoyancy: Ensure you’re stable. Narcosis can wobble your coordination, so ease your movement, watch your buoyancy, and avoid chasing tasks that require fine motor control.

• Begin a controlled ascent to a shallower depth: Move to an atmosphere with lower pressure. You don’t need to sprint to the surface; a steady, controlled ascent to a depth where you’re comfortable is enough. In most cases, this means a safe, gradual rise to a depth you know is narcosis-free for you.

• Reassess before re-entering work: Once you’re in shallower water, take a moment to check your cognitive clarity, balance, and ability to perform essential tasks. If you’re back to baseline, you can continue with the plan if it’s still safe.

• Consider a short post-narcosis check: If you’re far from the surface and want extra peace of mind, a quick surface interval or buddy-assisted surface check can help. It’s not about paranoia; it’s about ensuring you’re fully recovered before pressing on.

A few practical tips that help in real life

• Buddy system is non-negotiable: Narcosis can sneak up on you, and you’re not always the best judge of your own condition. Team up with a partner who keeps you honest, signals you when you’re off, and helps you execute the ascent safely.

• Don’t fight the urge to head up slowly if you’re feeling off: For some divers, the push to stay put is tempting. Resist it. Your best move is a conservative ascent to a shallower depth where you can regain your wits.

• Hydration and sleep matter: It sounds mundane, but dehydration and fatigue can amplify cognitive fog. Being well-rested and hydrated gives you a better baseline to recognize narcosis early and respond quickly.

• Practice at safe depths: It helps to run through this scenario in controlled, shallow conditions during training. The more you rehearse the steps—signal, buoyancy check, ascend—you’ll instinctively perform them when narcosis hits.

• Remember that gas choices matter, but not as your primary fix: Some divers wonder if nitrox or different gas mixes reduce narcosis risk. While gas choice can influence at depth, the most reliable treatment for narcosis is a timely ascent. Gas planning is smart, but it doesn’t replace the need to rise to friendlier pressures.

Anecdotes from the water

Let me explain with a quick mental picture. Imagine you’re at 40 meters, bubbles rising past you, and suddenly your judgment feels a little off—like you’ve had a few too many at the end of a long day. Your brain slows just enough to make a routine task feel tricky. The first instinct is to push through, but that’s exactly when the wise move shows up: you pause, communicate, and start a deliberate ascent. The relief comes fast once you’re back at a depth where the counterpressure is lower. It’s not dramatic, just practical—and incredibly effective when you’re prepared.

Prevention makes the difference, too

While you can treat narcosis with a controlled ascent, you can reduce its chances by planning and staying aware. Many divers find narcosis becomes more noticeable as they reach deeper limits or stay down longer than they planned. Keeping depth limits in mind, rotating through planned profiles, and staying within comfortable zones can pay off. If you use a gas mix that lowers nitrogen fraction, you might lessen the narcotic punch at depth—but even then, the rule is simple: ascend when narcosis appears.

A quick recap for confident responses under water

• What to do if nitrogen narcosis hits? Ascend to a shallower depth until the symptoms fade.

• What should you avoid? Don’t stay deep in hopes it will pass; don’t rely on breathing patterns alone; don’t use oxygen as a primary treatment for narcosis.

• How can you stay safe? Use your buddy, check buoyancy, communicate clearly, and move calmly to a safer depth.

• Can you prevent it? Plan dives with depth awareness, respect profiles, and consider gas choices as part of overall safety—not the sole fix.

Nitrogen narcosis can feel unnerving, especially when you’re focused on a task or exploring new underwater scenery. The good news is that the response is straightforward and repeatable: ascend, regain mental clarity, then decide how to proceed. It’s one of those situations where knowing the rule—ascend to relieve the narcotic effect—gets you back to solid ground, or in this case, solid water.

If you’re curious about the science behind narcosis, the nitrogen partial pressure that triggers these symptoms is a function of both depth and breathing gas composition. Divers often track depth with a computer or gauge and keep tabs on their gas mix during planning. The moment narcosis appears, you’ve got a clear cue: reduce pressure by going shallower, and let your nervous system reset. It’s a practical principle that keeps you safe while you satisfy your curiosity about the underwater world.

Bottom line: when nitrogen narcosis shows up, the simplest, most effective remedy is a controlled ascent to a shallower depth. It’s fast, it’s reliable, and it’s the move that keeps you rowing in the right direction—even when the water gets a little heady.