Nitrogen narcosis is a condition that occurs when scuba divers descend to depths greater than 30 meters while breathing compressed air. The phrase is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /naɪ.trə.dʒən.nɑːrˈkoʊ.sɪs/. The word "nitrogen" is pronounced with the "n" sound followed by "aɪ" and "trə" with a schwa sound, and "gən" with a "ən" sound. "Narcosis" is pronounced with a "nar" sound followed by "koʊ" with a "oʊ" sound and "sis" with a "sɪs" sound. Together, the phrase describes a temporary sedative effect caused by the increased level of nitrogen in the bloodstream.
Nitrogen narcosis is a physiological condition that occurs when an individual is exposed to high partial pressures of nitrogen while breathing compressed air or gas mixtures. It is commonly experienced by divers undertaking deep-sea diving or high-pressure industrial work.
Also known as raptures of the deep or Martini's effect, nitrogen narcosis is characterized by symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication, including a feeling of euphoria, impaired judgement, dizziness, confusion, and altered sensory perception. These symptoms typically manifest at depths greater than 30 meters (100 feet), but their severity increases as the depth and pressure increase.
The primary cause of nitrogen narcosis is the increased nitrogen levels in the blood and brain tissues caused by the increased pressure during deep-sea diving. Under normal conditions, nitrogen is a relatively inert gas, but at higher pressures, it can dissolve in bodily fluids, such as blood and tissues, affecting the central nervous system and brain function.
While nitrogen narcosis is generally harmless in mild cases, severe impairment of judgement and coordination can be dangerous in underwater environments, where systematic errors and poor decision-making can have life-threatening consequences, such as accidents or running out of air. To minimize the risk, divers often employ techniques like gas mixtures with reduced nitrogen content or use specialized diving equipment to avoid breathing nitrogen at greater depths.
In summary, nitrogen narcosis is a condition caused by increased nitrogen levels in the body during deep-sea diving, leading to symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication. Awareness, avoidance of excessive depth, and appropriate diving techniques are crucial in managing and preventing nitrogen narcosis.
The term "nitrogen narcosis" is derived from the words "nitrogen" and "narcosis".
1. Nitrogen: The word "nitrogen" originated from the French term "nitrogène", which was coined by French chemist Jean-Antoine Chaptal in the late 18th century. It is a combination of two words: "nitre" (potassium nitrate) and "gène" (engender). The element nitrogen, represented by the symbol N on the periodic table, was later named so due to its significance in compounds like potassium nitrate.
2. Narcosis: The word "narcosis" originates from the Greek term "narkōsis" meaning "numbness" or "stupor". It is derived from the Greek verb "narkein", which means "to numb".