Nitrox Diving: Why should you get certified

Nitrox Diving: What Is It and Why You Should Get Certified

The thrilling benefits of Nitrox make it a must-have certification for divers of all levels

The PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty Course is a quick and affordable certification that brings scuba diving to a new and exciting level.

Because of the many perks associated with Nitrox, it is no surprise that it is the most popular PADI speciality course.

So, what is Nitrox, and what makes it so appealing?

What Is Nitrox and How Does It Work

Diving with nitrox, also known as enriched air diving, involves using a breathing gas that has a higher percentage of oxygen than the standard air used in traditional scuba diving. The most common type of nitrox used in diving is a mix of 32% or 36% oxygen, and a balance made up of nitrogen.

Diving with nitrox can provide several benefits, such as more extended no-decompression limits and reduced nitrogen uptake in the body, leading to shorter surface intervals between dives. However, it also requires additional training and certification, as diving with nitrox can also increase the risk of oxygen toxicity if not used properly.

To dive with nitrox, you will need to complete a nitrox certification course, which will teach you how to safely plan and execute dives using nitrox, as well as how to mix and analyze the gas properly. Once you have completed the course and passed the certification exam, you will be certified to use nitrox for diving. It is important to note that not all dive sites or dive operators allow diving with nitrox, so you should always check with them in advance.

To keep in mind:

Commonly known as Nitrox, the term is an abbreviation of Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx).

Compared to normal air used in scuba tanks (78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen), enriched air is a 22%-40% oxygen and nitrogen gas blend.

© PADI 2019

Photo: The telltale yellow and green sticker indicates oxygen-enriched tanks.

Benefits of using Nitrox

As you have learned from your dive training, when you dive, your body absorbs nitrogen. By making a safety stop and the end of each dive and always making a slow ascent, you are giving your body time to eliminate the excess nitrogen, thus minimizing the risks of decompression sickness.

With nitrox, you breathe more oxygen and – consequently – less nitrogen. This has a strong ripple effect on different aspects of diving:

Extended allowable bottom time

The reduced percentage of nitrogen that you breathe with nitrox allows divers to extend them no decompression time. This means spending more time underwater!

Dive table: EANx32 and EANx36 consist of 32% and 36% oxygen, respectively.

Compared to regular air, Nitrox significantly extends the no-decompression limit and can even double the allowed bottom time.

Shorter Surface Intervals

If you are doing more than one dive in a day, breathing and absorbing less nitrogen equals shorter surface intervals needed to “off-gas” before it is safe to dive again.

Longer Dive Times

For divers who use normal air, doing repetitive dives means shorter dive times. This can be incredibly disappointing if you wish to explore an exciting dive site.

With nitrox, however, you can enjoy longer dive times because you have less residual nitrogen in your body.

Less Exhaustion

Have you ever felt tired and drowsy after a heavy diving schedule? Although it is not scientifically proven, many divers report feeling more alert when diving with Nitrox.

Are You Ready for The PADI Enriched Air Diver Certification?

Photo: Diving with Nitrox in Komodo National Park

If you are at least 12 years old and are a Junior Open Water Diver, Dragon Dive Komodo is the ideal place for your Nitrox diving course.

Dragon Dive Komodo offers daily diving trips and liveaboards to Komodo National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Plunged into a rich and diverse ecosystem with breathtakingly beautiful sites with coral reefs, green turtles, manta rays, sharks, and much more!

So, are you ready to go to Nitrox and spend more time underwater? Get certified today in Komodo with Dragon Dive!