Selective Performance Effects of Nitrous Oxide

Abstract

Twenty-one U.S. Navy divers were given several standard visual tests, the Purdue Pegboard, the Bennett Hand Tool Dexterity Test, and the Wechsler Memory Scale while breathing air or 30% nitrous oxide. The results showed that visual function, fine and gross motor performance, and long-term memory were normal under nitrous oxide, while learning and short-term memory were significantly impaired. The subjective effects of breathing nitrous oxide were similar to those experienced during compressed air narcosis. The selective impairment of short-term memory suggests that divers might be able to perform useful work at depths deeper than those currently authorized, provided the tasks were well learned and practiced.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0745655

Entities

People

  • Robert J. Biersner

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air
  • Blood Flow
  • Central Nervous System
  • Compressed Air
  • Gases
  • Learning
  • Materials
  • Meteorological Balloons
  • Motor Skills
  • Narcosis
  • Nervous System
  • Nystagmus
  • Respiration
  • Sensation
  • Standards
  • Tools
  • Visual Acuity

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Underwater engineering and Marine Technology.