When using EANx, how does narcosis compare to diving with air?

Diving with EANx (Enriched Air Nitrox) has a different gas composition compared to standard air, primarily having a higher concentration of oxygen and a lower concentration of nitrogen. Narcosis, often referred to as "rapture of the deep," is predominantly caused by an increase in partial pressure of nitrogen. When diving with air, the body absorbs nitrogen at depths, leading to potential narcosis effects.

When using EANx, especially within the typical recreational limits, the nitrogen exposure is reduced due to the higher oxygen content. Consequently, divers experience less nitrogen narcosis because they are exposed to lower nitrogen partial pressures. This means that the effects of narcosis can be considered the same as diving with air when the nitrogen levels are similar—however, the impact on the body can be lessened in some cases due to the lower nitrogen uptake when diving with EANx.

In summary, while the risk of narcosis exists with both air and EANx, the experience in terms of nitrogen exposure and resultant narcosis effects would generally be comparable when diving within the appropriate parameters for both gas mixtures.