Typpipaino

Typpipaino, known scientifically as nitrogen narcosis, is a reversible alteration in consciousness that occurs when breathing air at a high partial pressure. This typically happens during deep scuba diving. The "typpi" in typpipaino refers to nitrogen, which is the primary inert gas component of breathing air, making up about 78%. When a diver descends, the ambient pressure increases, and consequently, the partial pressure of nitrogen also increases. At depths where this partial pressure becomes significant, nitrogen begins to exert a narcotic effect on the central nervous system.

The symptoms of typpipaino can vary depending on the depth and the individual diver, but they often resemble those of alcohol intoxication. These may include impaired judgment, euphoria, anxiety, overconfidence, difficulty concentrating, and a distortion of time and space. In severe cases, it can lead to confusion, disorientation, and even hallucinations. The condition is reversible; as the diver ascends and the ambient pressure decreases, the nitrogen is eliminated from the body, and the symptoms disappear without lasting effects, provided the ascent is slow enough to avoid decompression sickness.

The exact mechanism of nitrogen narcosis is not fully understood, but several theories exist. One prominent theory suggests that nitrogen dissolves in the lipid membranes of nerve cells, disrupting their normal function and affecting neurotransmission. Another theory proposes that nitrogen interferes with the production of certain brain chemicals. Because typpipaino is a significant safety concern for divers, training emphasizes gradual descents and awareness of symptoms, as well as avoiding deeper dives than one's training and experience allows.