Nitrox class

[SHaase]

Does it matter which agency I take the class with? I got my open water certification with SSI about 10 years ago and am finally going to get my nitrox certification. The local dive shop that I prefer, and have been using for the last ~5 years, is a PADI shop. My original SSI shop is still around as well so I can certainly sign up with them if it makes a difference but I didn't know if it really did. All else being equal, I'd prefer to support my current dive shop as they're great.

 

[decompression]

Doesn't really matter, likely it'll be recognized everywhere if you want fills. Curriculum is similar, depends on instructor but not a biggie. Enjoy!


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[tbone1004]

what he said. go wherever you can get it the cheapest.

Nitrox consists of the following:
Calculate MOD
Calculate EAD
Find Best Mix
Learn how to analyze a tank to verify mix

Conveniently MOD, EAD, and Best Mix are all variants of the same formula which is depth in ATA*O2%=PO2. For MOD you know PO2 and O2%, find depth. For EAD you know O2% and depth, find PO2. For best mix you know PO2 and ATA, find O2%.
Literally that simple....

 

[Steve_C]

What tbone says. But I have seen shops that add a dive requirement. You lean nothing special about nitrox by the dive. It can add some cost if you do not want to do the dive anyway.

 

[TMHeimer]

Right, generally, go for the cheapest. Make sure you are shown how to analyze tank contents. The tables are more complex, if they still teach tables in the course you take. We had to do the dives (no extra cost) back when PADI required it (along with written dive profile, etc.). Oxygen Toxicity is the main concern. Read about it, take the written test, pay as little as possible.

 

[SHaase]

Perfect. Thanks for the info!

 

[tursiops]

I'm amazed at the inconsistency between the advice in this thread vs what is advised in (it seems like) a hundred other threads, where the paraphrased advice to this OP would be to make sure you get a class that covers all aspect of higher O2 and has lots of tables and equations just in case you ever decide to go on to more advanced diving. Then someone would say don't go for the cheapest class, go for the best instructor. Oh, and someone would come along and say forget PADI, go do the TDI Nitrox class.

So what is it about this thread that has kept the advice on point and in the box?

 

[tbone1004]

oh, TDI Nitrox is considered a "Technical" class, so if you want to take the Hog reg repair class for whatever reason, I would choose that one.

Tursiops, I think for this because there are no actual skills involved in the class there is no real point in arguing for the agency or instructor. They aren't really teaching you anything about diving, just some very basic algebra and some basic rules. It is up to you to decide whether you like 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 etc for your personal PO2 limit, and there really isn't much else to it. This goes against all of the other classes where skills are involved and require actual instruction.

 

[tursiops]

oh, TDI Nitrox is considered a "Technical" class, so if you want to take the Hog reg repair class for whatever reason, I would choose that one.

Tursiops, I think for this because there are no actual skills involved in the class there is no real point in arguing for the agency or instructor. They aren't really teaching you anything about diving, just some very basic algebra and some basic rules. It is up to you to decide whether you like 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 etc for your personal PO2 limit, and there really isn't much else to it. This goes against all of the other classes where skills are involved and require actual instruction.

So you don't subscribe to learning about O2 limits?

 

[Steve_C]

So you don't subscribe to learning about O2 limits?

O2 limits were discussed when I took nitrox (SDI). I also learned that with my no deco, two dives, and then back home diving they were not an issue. Only time I am doing 4 dives in a day they are reef dives.