I got Nitrox certified about 6 months ago, and besides the nitrox training dive, I haven't dived on nitrox yet. This march I'm going to Florida (Marathon) to do some dives, and they have nitrox, but it's $18 extra per nitrox tank! Is it worth it? What do yall think?
Is Nitrox worth it?
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That is very expensive for Nitrox. Are you sure it is $18 more per tank or is the rental and fill $18.00 vs say $10.00 for air. There are operators in Marathon who advertize $18.00 or $19.00 for tank rental and fill for nitrox. Normally I would expect to pay no more than $8.00 premium for Nitrox and usually about $5.00.
Charlie99
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I'm sure there will be a lot of posts saying "I always dive nitrox. Air is only good for tires!"
I find that nitrox is good for some dives, and adds little for others. If you go dive the Thunderbolt in Marathon, then nitrox will significantly add to the allowable bottom time / lower your nitrogen loading. On the 30' reef dives common in the Keys, whether you are on nitrox or air makes little difference.
Whether the dive profile is flat bottomed or multilevel also makes a big difference. I almost always dive nitrox in SE Florida (Ft. Lauderdale to West Palm Beach areas) because the typical dive there is a relatively square profile to 60-80' range.
In Maui, I usually dive air, since even on a dive to 100+', I'll only be at 100' for a while, then 70', then will spend lots of time around 40' or less. Nitrox would lower my loadings, but the multilevel profile lets me dive a nice long dive on air with reasonable N2 loadings.
I find that nitrox is good for some dives, and adds little for others. If you go dive the Thunderbolt in Marathon, then nitrox will significantly add to the allowable bottom time / lower your nitrogen loading. On the 30' reef dives common in the Keys, whether you are on nitrox or air makes little difference.
Whether the dive profile is flat bottomed or multilevel also makes a big difference. I almost always dive nitrox in SE Florida (Ft. Lauderdale to West Palm Beach areas) because the typical dive there is a relatively square profile to 60-80' range.
In Maui, I usually dive air, since even on a dive to 100+', I'll only be at 100' for a while, then 70', then will spend lots of time around 40' or less. Nitrox would lower my loadings, but the multilevel profile lets me dive a nice long dive on air with reasonable N2 loadings.
Wayward Son
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In the Panama City, FL area nitrox fills are generally $8 to $10, at least at the shops I've been in so far.
Worth it? Short answer is, yes.
Depends on what you're hoping to achieve. If you want longer no decompression limits on your dives, it's certainly worth it. If you want to minimize your nitrogen loading, it's worth it.
As a rule of thumb, when I buy a dive package, if unlimited Nitrox for the week is under $150, or if individual fills are under $100, I take it.
$18 a bottle sounds a little high to me, unless it includes the cost of the tank rental. Also, if you're diving with the same operator who's charging you $18 a bottle for Nitrox, ask to make sure they don't arbitrarily limit your dive time to, say, 45 minutes.
Depends on what you're hoping to achieve. If you want longer no decompression limits on your dives, it's certainly worth it. If you want to minimize your nitrogen loading, it's worth it.
As a rule of thumb, when I buy a dive package, if unlimited Nitrox for the week is under $150, or if individual fills are under $100, I take it.
$18 a bottle sounds a little high to me, unless it includes the cost of the tank rental. Also, if you're diving with the same operator who's charging you $18 a bottle for Nitrox, ask to make sure they don't arbitrarily limit your dive time to, say, 45 minutes.
It depends....
Diving nitrox for the added safety margins...yes
Diving nitrox for longer bottom times if you have the SAC rate to allow it...maybe
$18 sounds real high.
TwoBit
Diving nitrox for the added safety margins...yes
Diving nitrox for longer bottom times if you have the SAC rate to allow it...maybe
$18 sounds real high.
TwoBit
The Kraken
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Well, pbowl, that all depends.
Generally speaking, nitrox doesn't allow most recreational divers to stay down longer because their air consumption rates, coupled with Al 80 tanks, doesn't allow the diver to take advantage of extended NDLs. Nitrox does, however, allow for shorter surface intervals.
If you have access to a larger volume tank, then the use of nitrox can certainly enhance and extend the diving experience.
I wouldn't pay $18 per fill for recreational dives on an Al 80, but that's just my position.
Others, of course, may take a differing opinion.
the K
Generally speaking, nitrox doesn't allow most recreational divers to stay down longer because their air consumption rates, coupled with Al 80 tanks, doesn't allow the diver to take advantage of extended NDLs. Nitrox does, however, allow for shorter surface intervals.
If you have access to a larger volume tank, then the use of nitrox can certainly enhance and extend the diving experience.
I wouldn't pay $18 per fill for recreational dives on an Al 80, but that's just my position.
Others, of course, may take a differing opinion.
the K
Check out
http://www.flkeysdiveshops.com/index.cfm
for a list of dive shops in the Keys and their rates
http://www.flkeysdiveshops.com/index.cfm
for a list of dive shops in the Keys and their rates
Skeeter1097
Guest
I think so.I us nitrox as I dive a lot of repetative dives 100' to 75'. Even the shalow reefs here are 60' 45' it helps a lot. Cost $8 for my 100s
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