Nitrox for older divers

[2Bobbyo]

I am returning to diving after a long dry spell. I will be buying new equipment and will take refresher training. I am 65, in good health and cleared by the doctor. I've been reading about how some older divers use nitrox basically due to their age. I don't plan on doing any deep diving or several tank dives. Do any of you older guys use nitrox based on your age? Thanks.

 

[TMHeimer]

I'm 66 and don't. But most of my dives are very shallow, so Nitrox' extending bottom times is useless. I know it is used by some and they set their computer on Air for more conservatism. I suppose that may be a good idea for us old people since our circulation regarding Nitrogen on & offgassing is not as good as when young.

 

[dewdropsonrosa]

Nitrox is affectionately known as "geezer gas" for this reason (and sometimes, "voodoo gas" for other reasons). By lowering the fraction of nitrogen in your breathing gas - while practicing safe diving, measured ascents, etc. - it may reduce the risk of decompression illness.

Anecdotally, some people (of all ages) report that they feel less tired after diving nitrox and this can also be a benefit.

 

[Altamira]

I will always use Nitrox if it is available for dives, other than very shallow dives, if I am going to dive more than one dive, or dive multiple successive days, or plan to dive deeper than medium depth (60-70'). Although I know there are differing opinions on how Nitrox makes you feel, I am one of those that using Nitrox makes me feel less tired at the end of a second dive.

 

[Marie13]

I often use nitrox if my dives are within the mod (32%). I do often feel less tired at the end of the day. I don't lie to my computer. I always set it for the gas I'm diving.

 

[KenGordon]

I use Nitrox (and I default to using it) because it reduces the chances of getting bent, reduces the length of stops and is generally an advantage. I don’t feel any different whichever gas I use.

It might reduce narcosis in breaking news.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @2Bobbyo

I'm 66, most all my dives since 2002 have been nitrox. I dive much more aggressively than you say you will. I use nitrox exclusively for the longer NDLs, shorter SIs. I don't observe any difference in fatigue, but dive nitrox as aggressively as I would air.

 

[Ukmc]

Other than price, I don’t see a downside of using NitrOx for shallow dives... As the matter of fact the only disadvantage of NitrOx in my book is shallower MOD regardless of age.

 

[JMBL]

A buddy of mine dived until he was 78. He used nitrox as a bottom mix, and for deco mix, almost all the time. He explained he felt less tired after the dive and added : and people on the boat pester me a lot less since I've been using it. I must add he was an instructor and 50+ years of diving. He was really amazing underwater.

 

[grf88]

I use Nitrox in nearly all of my cold water dives which are typically deeper than 60 feet. I do not use in regularly in warm water where most of my dives are under 70 feet and where it is not always available. I am closing in on 73.