Choosing Between Various Nitrox Classes

[JW13]

I am PADI OW certified and want to take my first specialty class to get nitrox certified. I am going to Bonaire in about 2 months and can take the class while I am there, but I need to choose between:

SSI Level 1, about $ 99
SSI Level 2, about $145, and
PADI EAN, about $165.

Can anyone briefly explain the difference between them, in terms of content, and whether the more expensive versions are worth paying for. I am very safety / knowledge oriented, so if it's worth it, I'm more than willing to pay for better training. And I realize that taking the PADI version would count toward earning PADI's higher certification levels, so that's a good thing.

Thanks for the help.

 

[spectrum]

I just browsed the SSI site and couldn't locate the level-2 course. I will guess that its an intro to deco and beyond your needs for recreational diving in Bonaire.

In Bonaire you will probably only encounter the house mix of 32%. Once you know the MOD (Maximum Operating Depth) for this that's what it's all about. You will need to do an insane amount of diving to saturate the O2 limits.

Any course will be plenty. No diving is needed but there should be a gas testing lab as part of the course. I'd do it all in advance so you are free to dive nitrox from dive 1 with no time wasted.

Do what you want with regard to the PADI training continuity. There should be plenty of in the water diving specialties to attain your goal.

Be sure to spend some time getting to know your computer as it relates to nitrox. Some settings are less than obvious.

Have a great trip and dive safe,
Pete

 

[H2O 70]

If there is an SDI shop in your area, you can do the academic aspect of the course online and then go into the shop for the practical aspect.

Just another option.

Just searched the TDI/SDI website. You have a shop in Novi that is a SDI Dive Center.

http://www.miadventurescuba.com/

 

[kb8lxc]

I am pretty sure the SSI level 1 is the regular Nitrox course which deals with up to 40% O2. I took this course and enjoyed it very much. I don't think I have been down with regular air since completing the class and would recommend it to everyone.

I am guessing that the Level 2 is the Advanced Nitrox course that deals with 40% to 100% O2. I look forward to taking this class too, but it just hasn't been in the cards yet.

 

[Mod63]

Hi,

SSI decided some time ago to split the EAN course into 2 - Level 1 up to 32% and Level 2 up to 40% oxygen (about the same as PADI is doing with Discover Enriched Air and Enriched Air). So either the SSI EAN Level 2 or the PADI EAN is what you want to go for. Both SSI and PADI do offer advanced Nitrox clases as mentioned, SSI as part of their TXR programm, PADI with the TecRec.

 

[JW13]

Thanks MOD63 and everyone else that chimed in. I'll go with the PADI class, and I'll do it before I get to Bonaire. Don't want to give up a whole day of diving just to sit in a class room.....

 

[H2O 70]

Hi,

SSI decided some time ago to split the EAN course into 2 - Level 1 up to 32% and Level 2 up to 40% oxygen (about the same as PADI is doing with Discover Enriched Air and Enriched Air). So either the SSI EAN Level 2 or the PADI EAN is what you want to go for. Both SSI and PADI do offer advanced Nitrox clases as mentioned, SSI as part of their TXR programm, PADI with the TecRec.

What is the significance of level 1 up to 32% EAN and level 2 up to 40%? Does it have something to do with the MOD of EAN32 is right around recreational diving limits?

 

[Mod63]

What is the significance of level 1 up to 32% EAN and level 2 up to 40%? Does it have something to do with the MOD of EAN32 is right around recreational diving limits?

Äh, hm, well, sure...
I say - money. Pure and simple. SSI used to have only one, the split into Level 1 and two came, as far as I can remember, in 2009.

 

[JW13]

I must admit that I have never heard of or seen anything about a PADI "Discover" Enriched Air Nitrox class. Is there really such a thing?

 

[ScubaFeenD]

It seems ridiculous that an agency would see fit to split courses up based on 22-32% and 33-40%. It has to be solely a money issue, because it is really an unnecessary additional layer.

Teaching students to just follow a preset composition of gas seems completely ridiculous, too. I am just glad that I am "allowed" figure out my own best mixes and where available get fills that can utilize them. If I were you I would look for a different course, perhaps like the SDI course that was recommended by H2O 70.