What is the effect of enriched air on narcosis during dives?

The effect of enriched air on narcosis is that it has no significant effect on narcosis levels. Narcosis, often referred to as "nitrogen narcosis," is primarily caused by the absorption of nitrogen at higher pressures, typically experienced during deeper dives. Enriched air, or nitrox, contains a higher proportion of oxygen and a lower proportion of nitrogen compared to regular air. Since narcosis is linked to the amount of nitrogen absorbed by the body, using enriched air may actually mitigate some risks associated with narcosis due to the reduced nitrogen content.

However, it is important to recognize that enriched air does not eliminate narcosis nor does it directly decrease its effects at greater depths. The psychology and physiology of divers can still lead to narcosis regardless of the gas mix being used, particularly if diving at depths where nitrogen narcosis is likely to occur. Thus, while enriched air modifies the ratio of gases breathed, it does not make divers immune to the potential effects of narcosis during dives.