new to diving and want to know if i should get nitrox cert

[TSandM]

As has already been said, if your gas consumption is still high enough that you're either doing pretty shallow dives, or getting low on gas limits your deeper ones, then Nitrox is only of small benefit. The biggest advantage of Nitrox is to extend available bottom time on moderately deep dives (in the 70 to 110 foot range).

There are those of us who believe that reducing nitrogen uptake is advantageous on ALL dives, and there is no question that Nitrox does that. But that is a personal and rather theoretical belief; it is not possible to demonstrate that diving Nitrox improves dive safety, mostly because DCS is so uncommon, anyway.

 

[furby076]

I seem to be of a different mindset. First as a new diver (I assume open water) you shouldn't go below 60 feet. Once you get advanced you shouldn't go below 130 feet...even then you will rarely hit the 130 foot mark. Nitrox will allow you to get more dives per day, which can come in real handy. I was down in the Caymans, at Cobalt Coast/Dive Tech. We had two boat dives each morning, and then unlimitted dives the rest of the day/night. Without Nitrox my dive time would have had greater surface intervals, and less bottom time - which would mean less dives. Also, while diving in the Caymans with EAN36, I only once hit 90 feet...I had no real need to go deeper. When I do wrecks off the jersey shore I plan for MOD130 and take EAN28.

Given that - I know my dive shop recommends Nitrox for any students who got open water. It's a short/easy class and it's relatively inexpensive.

Now if you plan to only do two dives per day then don't bother...but if you plan on doing more then that then hit it.

For PO2 1.4
EAN36 = 90 feet
EAN32 = 110 feet
EAN28 = 130 feet (I believe)

Plus there is the argument if Nitrox (increasing your oxygen, as opposed to reducing it) reduces fatigue. I personally feel less tired when breathing EAN28 then when breathing EAN21, but maybe it's in my head...well even if it's only psychological, who cares...i feel less tired

Just my thoughts. Then again I had a boss who told me not to bother going advanced because there is nothing worth seeing after 60 feet....

 

[furby076]

i actually do own most my gear. the only thing im missing is a wetsuit for this state ( washington) but im moving to texas next week so i didnt see a point in buying one i just rent em on post for lik 8 dollars. and i agree when i rented all the gear i felt weird like it aint fit right. but once i got a bcd that fit me. and i started getting everything to my likes it was better.

Even when I go to the Caribbean I still wear a 5 mil...not for temperature, but because I don't want anything touching me without my permission. Think jelly fish, fire coral, etc. I also wear my hood when I do night dives (damn blood fish attack my head mounted lights and freak me out)

All my dives were done with EAN21

Nerd

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Here's a short article containing some thoughts to consider when deciding whether or not nitrox is right for you ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[The Chairman]

I disagree with most everyone so far: Go for it! Getting better educated about gas and gas consumption is always a plus. You should understand deco theory just a tad bit better after the class and that's GOOD. You will also get to do a number of "what ifs" with an instructor which can be invaluable for a newbie diver.

While you're at it: do that AOW too! This gives you in water time with that instructor, and you get the chance to imitate their diving style.

Gear is important, but buying gear without really knowing what you want is a fool's game. Too many divers throw gear at a training issue (like using a pony rather than learning gas planning). Most diving classes include diving as part of the course. How cool is that? Improve your skills while having fun. Just remember that you get what you pay for. a cheap class is usually no bargain.

 

[TMHeimer]

Check with your LDS if you can just buy the manual to study and at a later date take the course minus the cost of the manual. It's not rocket science, but the tables are more complicated and it would be nice to be on top of that when you take the course.

 

[The Chairman]

It's not rocket science, but the tables are more complicated and it would be nice to be on top of that when you take the course.

Not all Nitrox classes utilize tables. SDI's class caters to using a PDC instead.

 

[NAUI AL]

Everyone seems to be looking at this from a technical or experience side, so I will take a slightly different approach.

First, I agree that you should spend a little more time getting your AOW and building experience. However, Nitrox can be a great choice for your first "specialty". When I recommend Nitrox to students and other divers, it's usually because they could benefit from it. Nitrox early in your diving career is a great tool for some divers who may be slightly over weight, older or out of shape. It allows them to enjoy their dive and day a bit more with less fatigue. Nitrox is a great tool for those who do not wish to dive very deep, but wish to dive more or longer. It is a great tool for technical divers such as those interested in wreck, cavern and cave diving and can often be learned at the same time as one of these courses. The article linked above is a great story about the benefits and misconceptions of Nitrox.

Good luck with your diving. It sounds like you really enjoy it!

 

[spectrum]

so i am new to diving and like i said in the title i would like to further my ed in diving. but not sure what route i should take. right now i am at 13 dives. and i have enjoyed and loved every second i have had under water. i know i plan to go and get my AOW here soon. but im not sure on if i should go nitrox or not. my understanding is that it limits your depth. other than that i dont know much about it. and not to lie im not a very smart person and reading up on it online im lost. so i guess the question comes down to should i go nitrox. or atleast if someone would break it down barney style.

thank you
bryan

Hi Bryan,

Nitrox can and should probably wait.

The real benefit is in extending your bottom time. This applies only if you are ending dives because your have reached your nitrogen limits either by table or dive computer. If your dives are ending due to low air, cold, or buddy limits nitrox really won/t do any real good. There are some anecdotal benefits but nothing you can hang your fins on.

I suggest you hold off until nitrogen limits are your barrier. This may mean local skills or a dive intensive vacation in a place like Bonaire where you may do 4-5 dives a day. At that point you will also want to be using a nitrox computer.

The other reason to wait is to take the class just before you use it. This will help retain the information. It's not difficult once you get your haead around a few concepts.

Pete

 

[furby076]

Too many divers throw gear at a training issue (like using a pony rather than learning gas planning).

I have to disagree with this part of your statement. Pony's should never be used in place of dive plans. Pony's should be used in case something happens to your primary tanks. Yes it can obviously be used for poor planning or neglect of air, but hopefully that is a once in a lifetime error and from then on the pony is there for non-controllable emergencies (e.g. your primary/octo reg both break for some reason, your primary tank first stage breaks, your dive buddies air breaks and you prefer to give him a pony rather then your primary).

I do agree that equipment should never substitute training.