lermontov
Contributor
it would be interesting to try and quantify what percentage is related to psychological factors. Diving at 60m and 27º with 30m vis in the tropics in shorts and t shirt is a world apart from 37m in 12º in 2m vis with dry suit etcYou're not alone.
Performance is also a pretty complex topic. Take a diver performing a mechanical assembly. Sensory perception, muscle control/texterity, the ability to concentrate, balance, about a hundred other factors interact. I think it is fair to say that we all perform better with familiar tasks and experience managing distractions. I cringe when Narcosis is compared to alcohol or hallucinogenic narcotics because the analogy is very misleading.
@drbill's slow workup approach is the most prudent approach for individual self-discovery. Unfortunately very few divers get the opportunity to dive often or deep enough to experience the relatively short-lasting acclimatization phenomenon. However, the gradual and repeated baby-steps nearing increased levels of Narcosis does help you manage and, more importantly, detect how and to what extent Narcosis is compromising you. Once detected and it exceeds your comfort level the cure is pretty simple... go up.
i've noticed different levels of narcosis for different situations so its a hard to draw a line in the sand -as you said recognising the point when the narcosis is compromising you beyond your comfort zone is important