Assessment on the impact of hyperbaric environment – nitrogen narcosis on brain functions and perception during air saturation by use of arithmetic test

Abstract

The air as a breathing factor in the depth of 30 m and more carries a significant risk of nitrogen narcosis, and it increases with rising depth. The symptoms of narcosis make underwater tasks more or less difficult. Military diving and most of recreational diving take place at depth up to 30 m, but it last for a long time. It was decided to examine the impact of narcosis on mental performance and perception during dives to depths of 12 to 30m. In this purpose, the arithmetic tests were used. Divers performed simulated saturated air dives, solving arithmetic tests before diving, after reaching a maximum depth during each day of the exposure and after the dive. The study was based on the summation of the 5-numeral sequence. Time of the test and the number of mistakes was measured. The results were statistically analyzed by specifying the impact of the nitrogen narcosis on the validity of the tests. A significant impact of air hiperbaria on arithmetic test was observed. According to the depth and duration of the exposure, changes were observed.