Why do divers use nitrox?
Why do divers use nitrox?
The most common use of nitrox mixtures containing oxygen in higher proportions than atmospheric air is in scuba diving, where the reduced partial pressure of nitrogen is advantageous in reducing nitrogen uptake in the body’s tissues, thereby extending the practicable underwater dive time by reducing the decompression …
What’s the difference between nitrox and air?
The technical difference between nitrox and enriched air is like the difference between fruit and apples; apples are a specific type of fruit. Nitrox is where the mix between nitrogen and oxygen is not 79/21, but Enriched Air is more than 21 oxygen molecules per 100.
What is the benefit of nitrox?
The Nitrox we use in recreational scuba diving is between 21 and 40% oxygen, and contains a lower percentage of nitrogen than air. This reduced percentage of nitrogen in recreational Nitrox allows divers to extend their no decompression limits or dive time by reducing the amount of nitrogen absorbed.
Is it better to dive with nitrox?
Nitrox proves to be especially useful for divers, who want to perform more than one dive per day. Due to having absorbed less nitrogen on the first dive, Nitrox divers will have a longer allowable bottom time on a repetitive dive.
Is nitrox better for older divers?
Divers who use nitrox absorb less nitrogen, making them stay underwater for longer. They’re also less likely to get decompression sickness. It’s worth noting that older divers and those who’ve experienced decompression sickness or physical injuries can reduce no-decompression limits with the gas.
What percentage of oxygen is in nitrox?
21 percent
In the broadest sense, Nitrox is any gas blend of oxygen and nitrogen. Air, of course, is basically a nitrox mix of approximately 21 percent oxygen and 79 percent nitrogen. For divers, enriched air Nitrox is any gas blend with more than 21 percent oxygen.
Does nitrox have more oxygen?
What is Nitrox? In recreational diving terms, enriched air nitrox (EANx) refers to any nitrogen/oxygen gas mixture with more than the 21 percent oxygen found in normal air.
How much does nitrox certification cost?
You can register online by paying the $25.00 registration fee. Your instructor will collect the remaining fees in person. The PADI Enriched Air – Nitrox (EANx) SCUBA Specialty Course is a one-evening class.
When should you use nitrox for diving?
Advantages of Diving with Nitrox The best application of nitrox is in the 50- to 100-foot range. No stop times for dives shallower than 50 feet are often so long that you’ll empty your tank before you run out of dive time.
How deep can I dive with nitrox?
However, when diving on nitrox, the potential for oxygen toxicity lurks well within the depth range of recreational diving: the maximum depth on 32 percent nitrox is 121 feet; on 36 percent nitrox, it’s just over 100 feet. Many divers regularly cruise at these depths and even deeper without giving it a second thought.
What is oxygen toxicity in scuba diving?
Oxygen toxicity is a concern for underwater divers, those on high concentrations of supplemental oxygen (particularly premature babies), and those undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The result of breathing increased partial pressures of oxygen is hyperoxia, an excess of oxygen in body tissues.