Dive Training Blogs
New Ideas on Narcosis
In the first in a new series adapted from his latest book, Scuba Physiological – Think you know all about Scuba Medicine? Think Again! best-selling Author and Diving Professional Simon Pridmore delves into the subject of Nitrogen Narcosis…
The chapters in Scuba Physiological were originally written by scientists in the field of decompression research as part of a three-year project called PHYPODE (Physiology of Decompression). My (self-appointed) task was to rewrite their sometimes-complex research in a form accessible to all divers.
The researchers raised some eye-opening thoughts on nitrogen narcosis, showing that it is something that most divers THINK they understand but few actually do.
What is Nitrogen Narcosis?
Nitrogen narcosis is a condition affecting the physical and mental state of people who breathe air or mixtures containing nitrogen (or other inert gases) at pressures greater than 3 to 4ATA. Conventional scuba diving theory holds that narcosis occurs when molecules of a narcotic gas expand the volume of a hydrophobic membrane – an idea referred to as the “lipid theory”. However, recent studies have discredited this concept and revealed that, in fact, nitrogen narcosis occurs via the production, release and uptake of some brain neurotransmitters.
Everyone is affected by narcosis to some extent when they dive deep. Responsiveness can differ from person to person, but it is commonly accepted that the effects begin around 30m (100ft), although some people may experience effects of narcosis from 21m (70ft). The signs and symptoms cover a wide range of severity, from mild performance impairment to hallucinations and general anaesthesia. The deeper you go, and the longer you stay, the more severe the symptoms become.
Nitrogen narcosis is a more serious concern than many divers believe. In order to operate effectively underwater, a diver has to master a considerable number of different skills that rely on manual dexterity, motor coordination and both short-term and long-term memory. These skills are essential to staying safe in situations where precise actions and accurate judgement are required. And these skills are the ones adversely affected by nitrogen narcosis.
‘Beware of distorted perception…’ Photo: William Bynum
What Causes Nitrogen Narcosis?
As the underwater environment in which divers operate is markedly different from the surface environment, it seems logical that environmental factors should influence performance and, over the years, the diving community has cited a number of these as contributing to the onset and severity of narcosis, albeit without much scientific evidence. For example, increased partial pressures of CO2 from hard work or heavy swimming are believed to enlarge cerebral vessels leading to a higher nitrogen presence in the brain. Other supposed environmental risk factors include alcohol use, being hungover, fatigue, anxiety or apprehension, the effects of motion sickness medication, rate of descent, task loading and time pressure stress.
From a scientific point of view, the evidence for most of this is not strong. Claims about whether something exacerbates or reduces narcosis have often been based on fuzzy criteria and this has led to divers being given some dubious advice. The science shows that all you can really be sure of is that ethanol exacerbates the signs and symptoms of narcosis and amphetamines alleviate them.
There are two ways to try and quantify the effects of nitrogen narcosis. The first is a behavioural approach, measuring task performance such as mental arithmetic, memory, reaction time and manual dexterity. Although these behavioural studies have confirmed progressive deterioration as the surrounding pressure increases, many of the tests are unreliable because motivation, experience and learning can influence the results.
The second approach relies on observing changes in objective, measurable neurological parameters, using electro-encephalographic (EEG) recordings and the like. Several recent such studies have been conducted. These were the first to measure the effects of nitrogen narcosis during an entire dive AND for a period of time after the diver surfaces. Based on lipid theory, diver-training programs have always advised divers that, in the event of nitrogen narcosis, all they have to do to make the effects go away is ascend to a shallower depth. One of the most remarkable findings from these studies was that, not only is this not the case, but that the actual cerebral impairment caused by nitrogen narcosis persists for at least 30 minutes after SURFACING. So don’t dive and drive: not immediately anyway.
The studies also provided significant evidence that, when objectively measured, nitrogen narcosis may be influenced simply by pressure and the gas being breathed. It seems that the environmental factors referred to above have little or no impact.
Adaptation or Tolerance?
The diving community generally believes that divers can adapt to the signs and symptoms of nitrogen narcosis. This belief is based on experiments that reported an initial deterioration in task performance followed by significant improvement. However, on the contrary, scientific tests have generally been unable to confirm any habituation and researchers have concluded that sport divers do not develop tolerance to nitrogen narcosis.
Instead, it is more likely to be the case that divers who perform the same tasks over and over again will gradually find them easier to do and this may lead them to feel that they have developed narcosis tolerance. They think that they are really adapting to narcosis but, in fact, they are just learning to cope with it. A good analogy is habitual drunks who learn to cope with their impaired reflexes, cognitive functions and motor skills. The problem is, of course, that even though they may be able to deal with things better, they are still just as drunk.
Take-home Messages
- Nitrogen narcosis can impair a diver’s ability to function effectively or even survive.
- Nitrogen narcosis alters the higher functions of the nervous system.
- Cerebral impairment from nitrogen narcosis persists for at least 30 minutes after surfacing.
- Divers cannot develop tolerance to nitrogen narcosis but they can learn to cope with it.
- You may feel less “narked” when you ascend from depth but, objectively; you are still just as “narked”.
More background on this research and further new ideas on narcosis can be found in Simon’s book Scuba Physiological – Think You Know All About Scuba Medicine? Think Again! available as an e-book from Amazon stores worldwide. Find our more about Simon and his books at www.simonpridmore.com.
The diving world thrives on passion and adventure, but for many dive store owners, the financial and operational challenges can be as deep as the ocean.
NovoScuba, an emerging force in the diving world, is on a mission to transform this landscape for the better. With a revolutionary approach to dive store and training agency partnerships, NovoScuba is setting new standards for how dive stores can thrive while keeping their focus on delivering exceptional diving experiences.
A New Paradigm: NovoScuba’s Bold Mission
NovoScuba’s mission is straightforward yet profound: to disrupt the traditional dynamics between dive store owners and training agencies. Traditionally, dive stores have been subjected to substantial fees charged by training agencies, for membership, materials and certifications. These costs have often placed a heavy financial burden on store owners, cutting into their profits and limiting their ability to offer competitive prices to customers.
NovoScuba flips the script by offering a model where dive stores earn money, instead of paying high fees. Dive stores receive commissions for every student they register, and their certification costs are covered. This new model not only boosts profitability but also ensures clients get top-quality training at unbeatable prices.
Financial Upsides: Earn From Student Registration
NovoScuba’s approach is simple yet revolutionary. Dive stores partnering with NovoScuba can earn commissions for every student they enroll.
Here’s how it works: For every student enrolled through NovoScuba, dive stores receive a commission. Each student enrolled will receive their e-learning materials and certification credit included in their subscription. This arrangement is a significant departure from the traditional model, where dive stores often struggle to manage high overhead costs related to training fees and certification expenses.
NovoScuba’s approach ensures that dive stores can focus on what they do best—providing top-notch diving experiences—without being bogged down by excessive financial burdens, and the need to carry large stocks of materials.
Quality Training at a Great Price
NovoScuba stands out by offering high-quality, ISO certified, training that doesn’t break the bank, in fact our students will pay less than with most competing agencies. Clients benefit from top-notch education and safety standards at competitive prices. Dive store owners can confidently promote NovoScuba’s programs, knowing they’re offering fantastic training at affordable rates. This balance of quality and affordability helps dive stores build a strong reputation and attract more customers.
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NovoScuba’s digital-native approach is a game-changer. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, we ensure our services evolve and improve swiftly. Dive stores benefit from instant updates, the latest features, enhancements, and effective solutions, keeping them ahead of the curve. This continuous improvement helps dive stores stay competitive and deliver exceptional services. Whether it’s a new course update, additional marketing resources, or improved e-learning functions, NovoScuba’s digital infrastructure ensures that dive stores are always equipped with the most current and effective solutions. This continuous evolution not only helps dive stores stay ahead in a competitive market but also ensures they consistently provide top-quality services to their clients.
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At NovoScuba, we’ve taken a bold step by paying commissions to stores rather than following the traditional model of training agencies charging high fees. Our mission is to make diving accessible to everyone and to foster a growing community of new divers and continued education. By redistributing profits more equitably between stores and training agencies, we aim to create a more supportive and collaborative environment within the industry. We believe this approach not only helps individual stores thrive but also stimulates overall growth and innovation in diving. Our commitment to fair profit sharing reflects our dedication to the long-term health and expansion of the diving community.
Everyone is getting a piece of the pie.
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By Marissa Eckert
What are the requirements to start cave diving? What do I need to do to be prepared for cave training? These are all questions I get asked by so many potential students. There are many options when coming up with an answer. The first option, and the easiest, would be to go the training agency website and look up the requirements to take the class. However, this leaves a lot open for interpretation and doesn’t mean you will necessarily be ready. Like anything, there always needs to be minimum requirements. But is that enough? Maybe for some people it is, but for most people it’s not.
So, what are the requirements?
TDI breaks cave training down into three different levels. Those levels are cavern, intro to cave, and full cave. To start cavern the requirements state that you must be 18 years old or 15 years old with parental consent, have an Open Water Certification, and a minimum of 25 logged dives. This doesn’t sound like much. So, what do I tell my students when they ask me? First, I find out if they are only interested in cavern or if they are interested in potentially progressing into cave diving. If they are interested in progressing into cave diving, I always strongly suggest they get comfortable with a dual configuration first. This configuration can be side mount, back-mounted doubles, or even a rebreather. The main things I tell everyone they need to have down are buoyancy, good trim position, the ability to hover in place motionless without moving their hands or feet, and good overall awareness. This means awareness of oneself and what your body and equipment are doing, but also total awareness of what is going on around you.
So, what does all this mean?
Many times I’ve had students show up thinking they had all these things mastered only to quickly realize they have a long way to go. Which by the way, is okay! After all, we all start somewhere and progress at different paces. The most important thing is to be open to feedback. But there are also ways to prepare yourself better. First and foremost, when starting down this route it is critical to find a good instructor. Take time to look up instructors, ask questions, interview them, look at their past students, look at what type of diving they are doing, and most importantly ask questions! Find out what techniques they use during class.
I have found that video recording students when they are struggling with something gives them a great perspective to see what they are doing wrong and helps them visualize and correct it. Does the instructor look good as a diver? Whether you like social media or not, the internet can be a great place for research. When looking at a diver they should look in trim, almost like they are laying flat on a table. In videos are they finning with their hands? Are their feet constantly moving? Are there things dangling below their body? All equipment and hoses should be extremely clean and contoured to the body.
The most important question to always ask during training is WHY? There should always be a why behind everything we do. And it should never just be because I said so. Make sure the instructor knows why they are telling you to do something a particular way. Everyone can always learn new ways of doing things, instructors included.
How can you truly prepare yourself?
A good idea is to record video of yourself or have a friend record you while diving. Send it to your instructor ahead of time, so they can give you feedback and let you know if there are things you need to work on. There is no certain number of years to be diving, or a certain number of dives to have, that says yes you will be ready. Every individual learns at a different pace. If a class is only offered in a minimum number of days with a maximum number of students allowed, be aware that this means less time practicing each skill. For this reason, you might be better suited doing one-on-one training or having a regular buddy take the class with you. This ensures you are comfortable with each other and familiar with each other’s habits in and out of the water, and that you get along!
The most important thing of all is to come to class with an open mind, a readiness to learn, and no concern with whether you will receive a card, but with a concern that you will learn to be a better, safer, more competent diver. I always tell my students safety is the number one most important thing in cave diving, but fun is a close second! Sometimes, it may not feel fun. Stop and ask yourself does this instructor have your best interests at heart? I know I certainly do. I want to go to sleep each night knowing that I gave my students as much knowledge as possible to make them safe and thoughtful cave divers.
With proper training, proper equipment, proper experience, and a proper attitude I think cave diving can be done very safely. I often joke that the most dangerous thing about cave diving is driving to the dive site!
To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.
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