Performance impairment as a function of nitrogen narcosis.

The effects of nitrogen narcosis on the performance of several tasks was studied. 10 Ss were trained to a constant level of performance in a choice reaction time test, a motor coordination test, and a reasoning test. The amount of impairment was determined as a function of increased partial pressure of nitrogen, equivalent to 100 feet of sea water. The results indicated (a) significant decrease in performance for all Ss on all tests when compared with their individual sea level efficiencies, (b) a position relationship between degree of impairment and the complexity of the task; and (c) an initial loss in efficiency as pressure increased, with this level of impairment remaining relatively constant with increased duration of exposure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)