Abstract:
Blood alcohol concentrations above defined levels are detrimental to cognitive performance. Empirical and published evidence suggest that nitrogen narcosis is analogous to alcohol intoxication with both impairing prefrontal cortex function. Nitrogen narcosis is also known to have been a factor in fatal accidents. To examine the effects of nitrogen narcosis, a recent publication used the Iowa Gambling Task tool, to simulate dynamic real-life risky decision-making behaviour. If the reported outcomes are corroborated in larger rigorously designed studies it is likely to provide further evidence that divers may well experience the negative effects of a \'narcotic agent\', even at relatively shallow depths. These deleterious effects may occur regardless of diving experience, aptitude or professional status. In 1872, English law made it an offence to be \'drunk\' whilst in charge of horses, carriages, cattle and steam engines. Understanding the danger was easy, establishing who is \'drunk\' in the eyes of the court required a legal definition. Driving above a \'legal limit\' for alcohol was made illegal in the United Kingdom in 1967. The limit was set at 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. It took just short of one hundred years to get from first introducing a restriction to specific activities, whilst under the influence of alcohol, to having a clear and well-defined enforceable law. The question surely is whether our modern society will tolerate another century before legally defining safe parameters for nitrogen narcosis?
摘要:
血液酒精浓度高于定义水平对认知表现有害。经验和已发表的证据表明,氮麻醉类似于酒精中毒,都会损害前额叶皮层的功能。氮麻醉也被认为是致命事故的一个因素。为了检查氮麻醉的影响,最近的一份出版物使用了爱荷华州赌博任务工具,模拟动态现实生活中的风险决策行为。如果报告的结果在更大的严格设计的研究中得到证实,则很可能提供进一步的证据表明潜水员很可能经历“麻醉剂”的负面影响,即使在相对较浅的深度。无论潜水经验如何,这些有害影响都可能发生,能力或专业地位。1872年,英国法律规定,在掌管马匹时“喝醉”是违法的,马车,牛和蒸汽机。了解危险很容易,在法庭眼中确定谁是“醉酒”需要一个法律定义。1967年,在英国,驾驶超过“法定限制”的酒精被定为非法。上限设定为每100毫升血液80毫克酒精。从最初对特定活动进行限制花了不到一百年的时间,在酒精的影响下,有一个明确和明确的可执行的法律。问题肯定是,我们的现代社会是否会在法律上定义氮麻醉的安全参数之前容忍另一个世纪?