
Understanding Nitrogen Narcosis: The Rapture of the Deep
Nitrogen narcosis, often called “the rapture of the deep” or the “Martini effect,” is a reversible alteration in consciousness that can affect scuba divers at depth. It’s caused by the increased partial pressure of nitrogen and other inert gases in the breathing gas at high ambient pressure, as described by Dalton’s law. This phenomenon, which has similarities to intoxication, can