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A diver feels nitrogen narcosis. What usually makes it go away?

Slowly ascending to a shallower depth.

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  1. Breathing faster
  2. Slowly ascending to a shallower depth ✔
  3. Swimming deeper to adjust

Why: Narcosis depends on depth, so rising usually clears it within a few minutes. The diver must not go deeper again, and should end the dive if they do not feel normal.

Huh, didn't know that: The PADI Deep Diver course has students do a task at the surface and again at 60 feet or more to feel the difference.

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References

Answer: Slowly ascending to a shallower depth. Narcosis depends on depth, so rising usually clears it within a few minutes. The diver must not go deeper again, and should end the dive if they do not feel normal.

  1. PADI: Nitrogen Narcosis, What Divers Need to Know blog.padi.com/nitrogen-narcosis-what-divers-need-to-know
    The next step is to slowly ascend until the diver feels normal again.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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