Should I get a Nitrox certification?

[ls1dreams]

While on this topic, where's the cheapest place to get a nitrox cert? I feel like I've seen everything from $50 to $350.

 

[lowviz]

While on this topic, where's the cheapest place to get a nitrox cert?

While you are looking around, consider asking (instead) about an advanced, rescue, or maybe even deep diver course. "That's kinda pricey, what if you throw in Nitrox and cut me a big break on that one?"

You may find that bundling them gives you a lot of bargaining power. Nitrox is easy to bundle, mostly topside work.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

I would say Nitrox is one of the must have's , if you have the option definitely go for it.

 

[scrane]

While on this topic, where's the cheapest place to get a nitrox cert? I feel like I've seen everything from $50 to $350.

I took a sit down class in my local dive shop for $120. and I think I got a good deal. No dives.

 

[Olddiver1950]

I'd say yes, for sure. But there are considerations you should keep in mind. uncfnp provides great advice as to whether you end your dives on air limitations or NDL (no deco). If you continue diving with liveaboards then absolutely yes although there is an upcharge for each day of nitrox diving. Sometimes that can be a cost you may not want to absorb however that cost is worth it. There is also a depth limitation due to PO2 (partial pressures) so if you do get nitrox certified make certain you actually understand the physiology involved in diving nitrox. But why go below 110' to see what you can see at 60'? And theoretically as an open water diver I believe you are supposed to stay at 60' anyway. But in a nutshell nitrox provides less fatigue at a minimum. Keep blowing bubbles and do so safely!

 

[lamarpaulski]

Hi all,

I'm fairly new to diving (only been on 2 diving trips since getting my OW) so forgive me for asking a question that may be obvious. I am planning a trip that will have me do a high number of dives over a short period of time (around 4 dives per day over 4 days). I have been considering getting a nitrox cert to allow me to use nitrox for these dives. After some research, I am aware of some of the pros and cons of Nitrox but am still unsure whether my case warrants me spending on a nitrox cert (I am a student and would prefer to hold off unnecessary expenses + time concerns mean that I would rather spend my time diving than spend it studying for an exam). Any advice is welcomed!

Cheers,
Watson G

Yes.

You seem like a good candidate for it. Can often do some classroom online or at local shop then ‘practical’ is basically supervised nitrox for one or two dives. Pretty easy and worth it for trips like you’re planning. You will get back your investment in bottom time/safety/less fatigue imho.

 

[lamarpaulski]

PADI is somewhere around 245$. The dive op I'm looking at is around 175$ but includes 2 nitrox dives - I'm going to do some research of my own now but do you think this is reasonable?

Yes. That’s close to price for 2 regular dives in many places. Also, The dives ought to be fun as there’s no difference during dive except to avoid going deeper than max depth, which is usually very simple.

 

[Diving Dubai]

What if you get caught in a downwhelling in Coz?

Just to give you some reassurance. I'm of a similar age to you. The vast majority of my diving is on sites where the sand it at 100m+ Far below the MoD of air.

My personal gas of choice is 27% which gives me 41m (134') @ 1.4 and 49m (160') @ 1.6 So I have plenty of "headroom with my MoD for my dives.

As @tursiops pointed out - Ox Tox isn't instant, also I believe that before the current recommended standards the old PPO2 used to be 2.0 (Stand to be corrected)

With regard to down currents, they are common where I dive, I get hit by at least 6 per year. Most just an annoyance a few slightly more serious. It isn't and instance elevator ride to the bottom, and you get time to react, but if you are pushed down a good way - as Tursiops pointed out, you have bigger things to worry about - I speak from experience. Even if you are above 1.6, you won't be there for long, as you'll be getting yourself back up

So diving over a distant bottom with Nitrox isn't a huge concern. I do respect your personal choices, I just wanted to pass on my actual experiences

 

[Snoweman]

Just to give you some reassurance. I'm of a similar age to you. The vast majority of my diving is on sites where the sand it at 100m+ Far below the MoD of air.

My personal gas of choice is 27% which gives me 41m (134') @ 1.4 and 49m (160') @ 1.6 So I have plenty of "headroom with my MoD for my dives.

As @tursiops pointed out - Ox Tox isn't instant, also I believe that before the current recommended standards the old PPO2 used to be 2.0 (Stand to be corrected)

With regard to down currents, they are common where I dive, I get hit by at least 6 per year. Most just an annoyance a few slightly more serious. It isn't and instance elevator ride to the bottom, and you get time to react, but if you are pushed down a good way - as Tursiops pointed out, you have bigger things to worry about - I speak from experience. Even if you are above 1.6, you won't be there for long, as you'll be getting yourself back up

So diving over a distant bottom with Nitrox isn't a huge concern. I do respect your personal choices, I just wanted to pass on my actual experiences

That's great that you can get a custom blend. In CZM, the choice is 32% or 36%. I prefer air for the first dive (going deep) and 36% for the second dive. I have not been in a down current in CZM, but I have talked to folks who frequently dive there, and it is an elevator ride from what I have been told. Not to the bottom, as that would be over 1,000 feet. But, others have posted it's wouldn't be difficult to be pulled down to 150' (or more), below the 130' max of a 32% mix (using up the safety factor of a 1.6). Then, you have to get out of it, and work your way back up. While I am dealing with the "bigger worries (which weren't really spelled out, but I'm guessing the amount of gas left in the tank is the major one), I don't want to be thinking about coughing out my reg.

My original point is that folks say there is zero downside. I just don't agree. If you speak from experience, I would think you would agree as well.

 

[ChuckP]

One of the keys in diving is being comfortable - dive what ever way makes you comfortable, I'd think you'd be safer just don't become complacent.

Will your body benefit from enriched mixes doing two dives a day, five days straight? Not much - my wife dives air, I'm nitrox, same computers and yes you see the difference but it really isn't terrible much. Air makes me sleepy on four dive days so I dive Nitrox always, two a day for my wife and she doesn't seem to notice. Nitrox on these dives is more of a safety buffer. If you want to dive air, maybe tame your computer down some or stay 10 minutes away from NDL instead of five, back your agressiveness down some.

Will your body benefit from enriched mixes doing four or more dives a day, five days straight? Yes, absolutely - it really starts to stand out after the third dive. You can see it on the computers. Try doing a little test by just planning four dives for a day, see where your grouping ends up and your NDL times end.

Here's the biggest thing, safety. Unless you're diving super aggressive, you more than likely won't be pushing up against the NDL's which are suggested numbers, not black and white numbers. Go to the Cozumel thread and read about the lady that had 3 chamber rides after a second dive to 54'...... Another guy, similar situation. That kinda stuff happens and buffering your safety with whatever you can is what I'd rather do verses sitting on the beach for 6 weeks under doctors orders.

And with all that being said - aggressive or not really depends on your computer and settings. You need to get some diving under your belt and listen to what your body is telling you, adjust the gas you breathe and profiles accordingly.