Steverooo said:
Even pearl divers and well divers, who use no equipment, must deal with nitrogen narcosis ("rapture of the deep") and the bends.
Way back in 1980 (lots of things happened +/- 2-3 years of that...leaning to dive, learning D&D, learning AppleSoft BASIC, etc), it was explained that the effect at 100' (roughly 3 atmospheres) was not unlike a dry martini on an empty stomach (like that's a useful analogy for a teen at the time, eh?), with each additional atmosphere adding an additional drink. I think all accomplished was encouraging the entire class to want to embark on a deep dive.
The rate of ascent was stressed to be "rise at the rate of your smallest bubble", so long as the length and depth of the dive did not warrant decompression, as you described. Again, the memorable part of that lesson was to lay flat at then bottom of Looe Key Reef, inflate a balloon with compressed air from the same tanks we were breathing from, tie the balloon, and set it free. The resulting explosions prompted everyone to envision the same happening to their lungs.
Granted, back then I was known for free diving 40-50 feet, scuba diving without my mask, and other somewhat less that sensible aquatic activities.
Out of curiosity, what other elements need be present, in an undersea supplement or adventure, to prevent an outbreak of your "loathing"?
I've been running an undersea D&D campaign since 1998 (link in my signature below) and am always searching for ways to improve the mechanics, dynamics, and presentation of the adventure.
