Smoker

[Gene_Hobbs]

There is not much available on the effects of drugs under hyperbaric conditions in general but these might be of interest:

BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF THE INTERACTION OF MARIJUANA AND INCREASING PARTIAL PRESSURES OF N2 and O2.
Walsh and Burch, 1978
RRR ID: 4320
---note: this is an abstract so NO paper available.

Reduction of the Behavioral Effects of delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Hyperbaric Pressure. (editor note: Cannabis)
Walsh and Burch, 1977
NMRI report ADA046749 published as: Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, v7 p111-116 1977.
RRR ID: 4226

From our "Suggested Reading List".

There is also some early research touching on smoking effects and pulmonary gas exchange.

Edmonds C and Quick D. 1969. Respiratory function in oxygen breathing divers I. Royal Australian Navy, School of Underwater Medicine. Project 1-69
RRR ID: 4956

 

[spectrum]

On my last trip south a pal-o-mine came along. He's a weed-head to say the least.This dude was firing up in the parking lot at the airport, in the rental car on the way to the motel and his room smelled like a pot house. We dove like three dives a day and he was smoking in the mornings before the dives and at night. Not being a smoker or drinker myself, I just wondered how this would affect a person's ability to reason in case of an emergency and if it would affect one's lung capacity. I noticed that he used a lot of air on these dives. Anyone have any experience with this?

No good can come from it, none at all.

 

[String]

You're going to rat out your friend to the police for smoking pot?

Quite simply, yes. I have no time or patience for people doing that especially when it compromises safety.

I don't know about where you live, but where I live the police would laugh at you.

The way the law works here is you report an offence they're obliged to investigate.

There is not a chance i'd dive with him - the solo thing doesn't bother me but you're essentially baby-sitting someone which tends not to lead to an enjoyable dive.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Diving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not on risking your friends life, but is also demonstrating his lack of concern for your life and anyone who might try to assist him when he get into trouble. I would not even consider diving with this guy.

 

[DeputyDan]

He is an addict.

You should reconsider the entire relationship

and I would never ever travel or dive with him.

 

[Joe-Diver]

 

[jefffalcone]

Quite simply, yes. I have no time or patience for people doing that especially when it compromises safety.



The way the law works here is you report an offence they're obliged to investigate.

There is not a chance i'd dive with him - the solo thing doesn't bother me but you're essentially baby-sitting someone which tends not to lead to an enjoyable dive.

I agree with you about babysitting too, but I don't really mind it so much. If this guy is as serious of a pot head as it sounds like from the OP's post, I don't think he would be very affected by it. In fact, he might be more affected by not smoking.

Your area must enjoy an extremely low crime rate. The police in my area would never have time to investigate every pot head. You must also enjoy an extremely low rate of drug abuse. If you lived around me, you would have to report pot smokers every day. They're everywhere. I can hardly walk through the park without seeing some kids smoking a blunt.

 

[jefffalcone]

He is an addict.

You should reconsider the entire relationship

and I would never ever travel or dive with him.

This is very true. He is an addict. Addiction is a disease and should be treated like any other disease. Since it is not very contageous, I would treat him as I would someone with cancer. Basically it would not really affect my relationship with him.

 

[Jim Ernst]

So, you were diving with a buddy who was high? That's really not a good idea. Pot certainly isn't as dangerous as some would lead you to believe, but it does affect you judgment.

Why would you want to dive high anyway? Your Twinkies would get all soggy.

 

[Jimmer]

This is very true. He is an addict. Addiction is a disease and should be treated like any other disease. Since it is not very contageous, I would treat him as I would someone with cancer. Basically it would not really affect my relationship with him.

Well said Jeff. Around here we have the same issue. The local Police and drug task force are way too concerned with the rising level of crack addiction and crack related prostitution and violence to give a pot smoker even a second look. Now a pot dealer, that's a different story.

As far as the effects of pot go, I wouldn't want to be diving with a guy that was just smoking up, since it will reduce your reaction time, ability to process information etc. But overall I consider the effects of pot to be less severe than alcohol, with respect to cognitive faculties. There is an old joke that says, "When people get drunk, they fight, they get angry, they make terrible decisions, and sometimes people get hurt or killed. When people smoke pot...pizza delivery boys get bigger tips"