What may happen to divers who experience gas narcosis at depth once they ascend to a shallower depth?

When divers experience gas narcosis, which is often likened to the effects of alcohol intoxication, they may display impaired judgment, disorientation, or decreased coordination at greater depths. However, as they ascend to shallower depths, the effects of nitrogen narcosis typically diminish fairly quickly due to the decrease in partial pressure of the narcotic gases.

This recovery occurs because narcosis is primarily a result of the increased pressure at depth, which causes nitrogen and other gases to dissolve more readily in the body's tissues. As the diver ascends, nitrogen begins to leave the tissues and is eliminated from the body through exhalation. Consequently, the mental clarity that the diver possessed before descending can often be regained, and they may start acting normally again.

While there might be other experiences like disorientation or a sense of panic during gas narcosis, the key aspect is that ascent allows for a gradual return to normal function as the influencing factors related to pressure are alleviated. This means that option about acting normally again accurately captures the physiological and psychological recovery process that occurs upon ascent after experiencing narcosis.