nitrogen narcosis

nitrogen narcosis

noun

Definition of NITROGEN NARCOSIS

: a state of euphoria and confusion similar to that of alcohol intoxication which occurs when nitrogen in normal air enters the bloodstream at increased pressure (as in deep-water diving) —called also rapture of the deep

First Known Use of NITROGEN NARCOSIS

1937

nitrogen narcosis

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of NITROGEN NARCOSIS

: a state of euphoria and confusion similar to that of alcohol intoxication which occurs when nitrogen in normal air enters the bloodstream at increased partial pressure (as in deepwater diving) <divers typically begin to experience the effects of nitrogen narcosis at depths of 100 feet>—called also rapture of the deep

nitrogen narcosis

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Effects of breathing nitrogen under increased pressure. In divers breathing compressed air, nitrogen saturates the nervous system, causing an intoxicating light-headed, numb feeling, then slowed reasoning and dexterity, and then emotional instability and irrationality. Severe cases progress to convulsions and blackout. Susceptibility varies, and severity increases with depth, but there are no aftereffects. Physical function remains normal, and divers may be unaware of the growing irrationality that can cause them to rise too fast (see decompression sickness) or let their air supply run out. Helium, which dissolves less easily in body tissues, is substituted for nitrogen for deep dives.

Variants of NITROGEN NARCOSIS

nitrogen narcosis or nitrogen euphoria or raptures of the deep