Nitrox – What is it and What are the Benefits?
When you first start scuba diving, the world beneath the waves seems endless and full of wonder. As you gain experience, you begin to explore deeper, stay longer, and become more attuned to the nuances of diving. One of the advancements that many divers make as they progress is transitioning from regular air to a gas mix called Nitrox. But what exactly is Nitrox, and why do so many divers choose it over standard air?
In this blog, we’ll dive into the details of Nitrox, uncovering what it is, how it works, and the benefits it offers. Whether you’re a recreational diver looking to extend your bottom time or a professional seeking to enhance safety on deeper dives, understanding Nitrox can open up a new realm of possibilities underwater. Let’s get started on this journey to explore how Nitrox can enhance your diving experience.
The Air We Breathe
The air we breathe on the surface and the air from a standard scuba tank share the same basic mixture of gases, primarily 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen, with some trace elements of other gases.
Nitrox, however, is a term used to describe a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen. In recreational scuba diving, Nitrox typically refers to a blend containing between 21% and 40% oxygen, with the remaining 60% to 79% being nitrogen.
A specific blend of Nitrox is usually identified by its oxygen content. For example, Nitrox 32 and Nitrox 36 are common mixtures containing 32% and 36% oxygen, respectively. Technically, regular air could be considered Nitrox 21, as it has approximately 21% oxygen.
It’s important to note that while “Nitrox” and “enriched air” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. “Nitrox” refers to any blend of nitrogen and oxygen, while “enriched air” specifically refers to mixtures with more than 21% oxygen.
To dive with Nitrox, specialized training is required. At Aussie Divers Phuket, we offer the PADI Enriched Air Diver course to equip you with the necessary skills.
What are the benefits of using Nitrox?
Longer Bottom Times:
The Nitrox used in recreational scuba diving contains a higher percentage of oxygen and a lower percentage of nitrogen compared to regular air. This reduced nitrogen content allows divers to extend their no-decompression limits, meaning they can stay underwater longer without needing to perform decompression stops. For instance, at 18 meters, the no-decompression limit for air (21% oxygen) is 56 minutes, while for Nitrox 32, it’s 74 minutes, and for Nitrox 36, it’s 93 minutes.
Shorter Surface Intervals:
Since Nitrox divers absorb less nitrogen at a given depth and dive time compared to those using air, they have less nitrogen to off-gas during surface intervals. This can significantly reduce the required time between dives.
Longer Repetitive Dive Times:
Nitrox is particularly beneficial for divers who do multiple dives in a day, such as on live-aboard trips. Because Nitrox divers absorb less nitrogen, they can enjoy longer bottom times on repetitive dives compared to air divers.
Reduced Exhaustion:
Many divers report feeling less fatigued after diving with Nitrox than after similar dives on air. By reducing nitrogen absorption, Nitrox may help decrease post-dive exhaustion.
At Aussie Divers Phuket, we offer the PADI Enriched Air Diver course at the most competitive price. The course can be done as a theory-only program, which often takes just 1.5 hours, and includes online learning with quizzes and an exam, plus Nitrox tank analysis and setting a dive computer for nitrox, conducted in the classroom as well. Alternatively, you can also do the Nitrox course as part of our Phuket dive tour day trips to local sites like Racha Islands or Phi Phi/Shark Point and do 2 to 3 dives using enriched air/nitrox.
