nitrox downsides

[poko21]

hi I just got my nitrox cert and can't find any reason not to dive nitrox vs air. aside from the MOD and slight extra cost is there any reason not to dive nitrox?

 

[MB NZ]

No.

If a buddy or another member of the dive group is diving air, that can lead to frustration re: NDL, but that's their problem

 

[Wookie]

Price and depth restrictions only

 

[crofrog]

There is no downside to using nitrox until gas density and narcosis becomes an issue around 100ft at which point trimix should be utilized.

 

[LFMarm]

I would say that only downside is availability. Air is not the optimal gas at any depth so it should either be nitrox or trimix depending on required MOD. However sometimes nitrox may not be available.

I would not count cost as a meaningful downside given the difference in cost compared to air is quite negligible in the context of full cost of diving.

 

[davehicks]

I recently had to dive Air for a number of days in remote parts of the Philippines. I would normally always opt for Nitrox when available. The days of diving air left me much more fatigued than when I could get nitrox on other parts of the trip.

 

[rx7diver]

hi I just got my nitrox cert and can't find any reason not to dive nitrox vs air. aside from the MOD and slight extra cost is there any reason not to dive nitrox?

Considerations:

1. More complication. Examples: You "must" analyze the contents of your cylinder before diving with it. You "must" monitor your oxygen exposure.

2. Possibly more equipment. Examples: Do you have an oxygen analyzer? If you dive a PDC, is it Nitrox compatible?

3. More expense. Examples: Cost of Nitrox (vs. air). Putting/keeping your cylinder into/in oxygen service if the Nitrox you will purchase will be partial-pressure blended in your cylinder.

4. (More)

rx7diver

 

[BoltSnap]

Just cost and mod (some additional gas % checking, but that's nothing)

 

[Ukmc]

If Nitrox is available, it is more important for the person diving air to know how to analyze and to analyze their tank!
So for me , the only drawback is deep diving.
I too get less fatigued after a full day of diving with Nitrox. However, many say it is a placebo effect.
Technically it could be possible to hit a max on 24hr CNS clock for oxtox. It has never happened to me over years of diving Nitrox even with 4-5 dives a day. So I will pose a question for the board - I know there are several guys here who are mathematically oriented. Is it possible to exceed 24hr CNS clock with just recreational diving, using only 32% Nitrox?

 

[dorsal]

Congrats on earning the rating

None. Just dive keeping your MOD in your plan. And enjoy all the benefits of nitrox