What are some common effects of breathing compressed air while diving?

Breathing compressed air while diving can lead to a variety of physiological effects due to the increased pressure and changes in gas solubility in the body. One common effect associated with breathing compressed air at depth is the sensation described as dizzy, euphoric, and a feeling similar to being drunk. This phenomenon is primarily caused by an increase in the partial pressure of nitrogen, which can lead to nitrogen narcosis.

Nitrogen narcosis occurs when nitrogen (a major component of air) becomes more soluble in body tissues and affects the central nervous system, resulting in altered consciousness and impaired judgment, similar to the effects of alcohol intoxication. Divers may experience a heightened sense of euphoria, reduced motor skills, and impaired cognitive function, thereby giving rise to the "drunk" feeling.

While headaches and fatigue, nausea, and vomiting can occur in different contexts during diving, such as from dehydration or an adverse reaction to the environment, they are not specifically characteristic of breathing compressed air in the same way that the euphoric and dizzy sensations are linked to nitrogen narcosis. Clear thinking and sharp focus are typically not associated with the effects of breathing compressed air at depth, as the pressures may hinder cognitive function rather than enhance it.