This impairment results in significant risk in the use of air for deep dives. An interesting concept arises in this respect. Besides the biophysical ramifications of these gases, they affect the diver's behavior to the extent that they are no longer effective or reliable as a buddy. This condition is known as behavioral toxicity. The diver dive interaction may, therefore, precipitate conditions which adversely affect the diver's behavior.
Drugs are chemicals that are intended to alter body function.
Regardless of the intended purpose, they all have incidental or side effects, in addition to their primary or therapeutic affects. Even under normal conditions, drug actions are not always consistent from one diver to another, from one environment to another or even with the same diver from one time to another. In fact, the most persistent research finding is that the effect of a drug under pressure is inconsistent with its surface characteristics. This is due to the fact that the diver's physiology changes as a result of pressure, resulting in the modification of drug action. Since drugs generally have multiple actions the observable effects can be best seen as changes in the diver's behavior.