Nitrox class

[Dutchman]

Doing this class and EFR CPR next week. The one thing I keep reading and hearing about for Nitrox is all the math. Lots of it. Now I am 57 and have been out of school for many years. I use computers and have made some formula's in excel. Am I going to have to know all this without the use of computer or calculator? Also thought it strange that we must complete two dives using Nitrox even though PADI has removed this. Comments
:11:

 

[spectrum]

The math isn't all that bad. We were allowed calculators. Most of it is table interpretation.

I don't know why the 2 dive requirement has been imposed, maybe they have a dive boat they need to sell seats on. Doing the lab is important but the dive is meaningless. You will either follow a dive plan or you won't.

Pete

 

[aowdan]

agree with spectrum above. math isn't hard, mostly table stuff. you have to learn the daily O2 intake...
the dives...might as well do them, once you USE NITROX, you know your class is complete. the dives gave me the confidence that i wasn't really diving "VOODOO GAS"

dano

 

[MurkyRockDiver]

I don't think you will find it hard at all, the math is basic and the tables are easy to follow just you have three new ones is all. We didn't do the dives for the course but we did do a few just for fun .

 

[pir8]

The dives are no longer required but are still recommended. Individual shops perogative to do the dives. Math is basic and the formulas should be provided for the test. That way its just plug in the numbers and yes you can use a calculator.

 

[tboxcar]

I agree, the math is not hard, they give you the formulas and a calculator! Being quite a few years from my school days (at 42) I really enjoyed the math and science behind NITROX, and the dives afterward using nitrox were enjoyable. Still not certain, and would love to hear from others. Do you feel better after diving with NITROX or is it the 'placebo affect'

 

[Ice9]

Ya, I'm extremely math-impaired and had no problem. As others have said, its mostly table interpretation. Regarding the "feel good" effect, I hate to admit it, but there might be something to that. This could easily be attributed to better control of ascent rate (experience), but I can say that after a day of diving I feel no post-dive funk. Your milage may vary...

 

[kidspot]

Agree that the math is pretty simple stuff - nothing past basic algebra, and even then it's all been put into table form so you don't even have to do the math.

As for the dives - optional, but many instructors like to do them still as it is a final check to see if everything really makes sense or not. Plus - who wouldn't want to dive ... it's FUN So enjoy

Have a great class

Aloha, Tim

 

[Marek K]

Concur with everyone else. You have to understand the concepts involved, because some of the cases are a bit complicated -- you have to go from one table to another, and understanding what's going on helps keep you straight. You probably won't make it by rote memorization of the processes -- at least I wouldn't have.

The only "math," other than being able to read tables, involves some scary-looking algebraic formulas... but they give you the formulas, and you pretty much need to use a calculator... but if you remember the basic algebra plug-in concept, write down your intermediate steps (remember from high school?), and keep your decimal place straight (do a "sanity check" on your final answers -- remember from high school?), there won't be any problem.

Good luck and have fun!

--Marek

 

[sharkattack]

3 easy formulas: EAD(Equivalent Air Depth) , MOD (Maximum Operating Depth), and Best Mix. Cake. Don't sweat the math.