Pros and cons of Nitrox

[k ellis]

Nitrox like all other items used in scuba is a tool intended for specific purposes. If you are planning multiple days of diving it does lessen the amount of nitrogen content you aquire day to day. Its also good for instructors with large classes as it allows longer bottom times which is crucial to teaching classes. (Not all use it and not all agree that it makes much difference though)

Also one thing I can personally attest too is that it helps me feel more refreshed post dive then when I dive air. Though its something I can personally say works there have not been any scientific test to prove or disprove this so its a case by case basis. Some believe in it as I do. Others denounce it.

I used to dive it every dive but discovered its just as easy for me to take a nap post dive and then do my day to day choirs then it was to pay more money on nitrox fills. Naps are free

Hope this helps!

---------- Post added April 10th, 2012 at 03:49 PM ----------

I also want to add that many people feel better diving nitrox then air post dive. This is something you will see posted alot and as I stated previous its a case by case basis. Most often the reason this is in theory possible is because when diving people dive in groups many times. Its inevitable that one person will dive on air while another chooses nitrox. This means a buddy team has to end the dive on the airs NDL. If you are diving a depth where nitrox doubles the NDL then you would only have half the nitrogen build up the air diver has and thus it would be a given your body would not be as taxed as the air diver.

 

[nimoh]

As with anything, use the right tool for the right job. Sometimes air will be more appropriate, and sometimes nitrox. Taking the class opens some doors to longer dives and shorter surface intervals (in certain situations).

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I agree with the Proper tool for the dive comments. Also for the most part it doesn't cost any extra on Bonaire (this is not a common occurance at other locations).

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Nitrox - ?

Nitrox has a place in recreational diving but not everyone needs it and not everyone will benefit from it.

Preface: I'm a Scuba Instructor with ratings from 4 agencies (and teach Nitrox,) a former dive shop owner, current commercial dive business owner, with more than 3000 dives. With all that said, others will disagree with what I'm about to say... so take what I say - and what they say - into consideration... and then make your own decision.

Nitrox can increase either bottom time or your safety factor, but not both at the same time. In other words, you can stay down longer using Nitrox then you can on air due to the increase in the partial pressure of oxygen in the mixture, however if you use this extra bottom time, the end result of nitrogen in your system is the same as it would have been on air in a slightly shorter dive.

The alternative is to dive Nitrox, but to dive the same profile as you would have using air. The same depth and the same time. Doing this builds in a greater safety factor by reducing the amount of Nitrogen in your body.

The limiting factor of Nitrox is the MOD or maximum operating depth. Nitrox is not for deeper diving. In fact, the higher percentage of Oxygen can become toxic at depth and kill you. For this reason I do not advise new divers to use Nitrox until they have mastered buoyancy. I further advise that they do not use Nitrox on wall dives or blue water dives where it is easy to lose track of depth. I have seen more than one diver drift deeper than their planned dive... in each case luckily they were just on air... which caused Nitrogen Narcosis. While this is bad, it's fix is easy - simply ascend, and with the help of others, they were safely escorted to shallower depth and the condition resolved itself. Had they been using Nitrox, they most likely would have convulsed and died from oxygen toxicity.

It is important to understand the risks vs the rewards. Too many of my scubaboard buddies simply throw out - YES, GET NITROX. The fact of the matter is I've been diving safely for 15 years... and while I'm Nitrox certified and certified to teach it - I have not dove it since 2003. I simply don't see significant benefit vs. cost and danger.

Most people I know who dive it do so for the safety factor moreso than the extended bottom time. They don't admit it... but it is obvious. When they dive Nitrox and I dive air - on the same wrecks, we all get in and out of the water at the same time. Yes, I often have to do a decompression stop because I'm on air - but I've come to enjoy these. Over the years some of the coolest things I've seen in the open ocean have come by while hanging on the line.

In any event, consider everything and then make your decision. You really won't be wrong either way... Just understand the proper way to dive and practice your skills.

Happy and Safe Diving.

You (bolded) comments seem to impyy that you feel safer staying down as long as the nitrox divers on a wreck and that you are just as safe (or safer), but you just have to do a deco stop on the way up???

If that is your argument.... I would disagree... a dive that involves required decompression IS more dangerous.

---------- Post added April 11th, 2012 at 10:49 PM ----------

Dive Bug Bit Me summarized it pretty well, but I'd like to add a couple of things.

Nitrox is not for deep diving -- the benefits of it are most relevant in the middle recreational range, between 60 and 100 feet. Below 100, you have to use such a light mix that your increased no-deco time is not substantial; above 60 feet, your no-deco time will often exceed the time you can manage on the gas you have.

Nitrox IS excellent for trips where you are doing multiple dives per day, over multiple days. Even those 50 and 60 foot dives can add up under those circumstances.

In addition, taking the Nitrox class will review your OW instruction about decompression, which is never a bad thing.

I do alot of repetative dives on nitrox in the 100 to 130 ft range. I don't have any tables in front of me, but I am pretty sure that nitrox gives us DOUBLE the (no-deco) time on those 120 foot dives (especially after a few earlier dives)..

 

[k ellis]

I do have to agree with Dumpster diver. A deco stop can get you safely back to the surface but it also involves alot more details in planning. With the nitrox extending the time its understandible you could come back to the surface easily after a 3 minute safety stop but the problem with the deco stop is often they prove to be lengthy and with this gas consumption may become a concern if you are low already on air. The increased nitrogen loading also poses increased risk that one simply does not have to take.

 

[nimoh]

I don't see a significant safety factor either way (nitrox vs. air). With either one, you still need to plan your dive and be aware if max depth, time, etc. The difference I see is just in enjoying some extra bottom time on some dives.

 

[CaveMD]

Nitrox really should be part of open water training. A solid understanding of depth and partial pressure of oxygen/nitrogen is a concept critical to being a thinking diver.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jhayes75]

The following examples will put diving Nitrox into perspective. The First example will compare a diver using Air @ 100ft compared to a diver using EAN32 @ 100ft. The second example will compare the same two divers to a dive at 60ft. Both divers will make a second dive to the same depth.

Notice the huge difference in SI.

Constants – Steel HP 100 tank – 3600 PSI - SAC rate of .5
Based on PADI dive Tables

Example 1 AIR: 100ft
· Diver is limited to 20min [NDL].
· Would end up with approx. 2200PSI left in Tank.
· Surface interval of 150 min.
· Second Dive 17 min [NDL].

Example 1 EAN32: 100ft
· Diver limited to 30min [NDL].
· Would end dive with approx. 1500PSI left in tank.
· Surface Interval of 90 min.
· Second Dive 20 min[NDL]

Example 2 AIR: 60ft
· Diver is limited to 55min [NDL].
· Would end up with approx. 900 PSI left in Tank.
· Surface interval of 180 min.
· Second Dive 49 min [NDL].

Example 2 EAN32: 60ft
· Diver dives for 55 min.
· Limited to 90min [NDL].
· Would end dive with approx. 900PSI left in tank.
· Surface Interval of 30 min.
· Second Dive 54 min[NDL]

 

[Robertobowhunter]

Roberto, are you and your wife diving with computers? Are they capable of adjusting for nitrox? Having the flexibility to dive with nitrox is a big benefit, but having a computer to fully realize the advantages should be your first concern. If you have them good. If not, that should be your first step.

Since you're new to diving, I would encourage you both to take a traditional course that will include a couple dives under the supervision of an instructor rather than going the online route. Asking a web app how to program your computer for 32% is pretty difficult, especially while on a dive boat or a desolate beach on Bonaire.

Sorry for the late reply; about the computers I´ve just bought 2 units capable of air and nitrox (Sherwood Wisdom 2 and Mares Puck) but haven´t had the chance of using them cause I´m in Africa now and won´t be home until the 4th of May. Might use them before going to Galapagos but for sure will while in Bonaire.

---------- Post added April 22nd, 2012 at 11:00 AM ----------

Thanks to all for the reply and interesting data (liked the excercise @100 & 60 ft).

I´m fully convinced now and will take the course before going to Bonaire, my wife will do it too so the dive buddy issue is covered.

Regarding Bonaire, had to please my wife and now we´ll be going 3 weeks to cover the 3 islands (Bonaire 1 week, Curacao 1 week & Aruba 1 week); guess will do a lot of diving and Nitrox will help.

Te only problem is that this trip will be the trip of the lifetime, it is costing me a fortune and the bowhunting trip will have to wait until 2013.

Thanks for everything guys, you were of big help.

Keep it going

Robert J.