Posted by tecdiver on June 15, 2002 at 07:57:08:
In Reply to: PADI's rules posted by TDI_2 on June 14, 2002 at 09:15:59:
This will always be a debated issue simply because it is relative to the individual. Just like you said, you dive to 120 fsw and have no perceived effects of nitrogen. I have been to 170 with no perceived effects. This does not mean we did not have narcosis. It only means we had no way to judge a difference. I have been able to tell the effects on other dives though, that gives you a reference so you no in the future if the nitrogen is noticeable. The problem is just because you do not notic the effects, it does not mean you are not effected. The question then becomes what depth is reasonable on air. This triggers debate. Some accepted analyses has shown a PN2 >4.0 you are effected by narcosis perceived or not. Some claim to have perceived the effects at >2.2. The only sure thing is by reducing the nitrogen you do reduce potential problems.