Nitrox, yes , no, maybe?

[gunnelfish]

Ive been with the same dive shop for many years. Thier a great shop but dont offer nitrox fill's or nitrox classes. I met a few divers this season that dive with enriched air they seem to thick it great. My dive shop says that nitrox it very dangerous and shouldnt be used. My thoughts are that thier only saying that because they dont supply it. What the boards thoughts on this?

 

[detroit diver]

Ive been with the same dive shop for many years. Thier a great shop but dont offer nitrox fill's or nitrox classes. I met a few divers this season that dive with enriched air they seem to thick it great. My dive shop says that nitrox it very dangerous and shouldnt be used. My thoughts are that thier only saying that because they dont supply it. What the boards thoughts on this?

Welcome to the board! Interesting first post.

Nitrox is dangerous and shouldn't be used? Either you deal with a bunch of comedians, or they're intentionally deceptive about why they don't want to carry nitrox. It costs money to mix nitrox. Maybe there's a hidden reason that they don't want to reveal....

Many of the major training agencies fought against nitrox also. But all of them have come on board now. Your LDS needs to get into the current millenium..!!

 

[2 Bar]

I just finished my Nitrox class. It is dangerous for one not certified. Once you learn how to use it, it's shouldn't be dangerous. I don't see a problem.

 

[Gary D.]

Ive been with the same dive shop for many years. Thier a great shop but dont offer nitrox fill's or nitrox classes. I met a few divers this season that dive with enriched air they seem to thick it great. My dive shop says that nitrox it very dangerous and shouldnt be used. My thoughts are that thier only saying that because they dont supply it. What the boards thoughts on this?

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I don't know if they wear boxers or briefs but which ever they are they are full of the brown stuff.

Nitrox has limations but is a great gas which is very safe. The safety buffer built into it today makes it VERY VERY safe. In years past the mix was not quite as safe as todays but research had made it almost fool proof.

If you have a mix that is good for 100' your not going to pass out and die at 101'. 40 years ago a 100' mix might get to you at 90' but times have changed.

Outside of the sport world Nitrox has been used for a long long time with great results. And it seems that sport divers are way more cautious than the other side.

Your shop DOES offer Nitrox but in just one mix which is 21%. I'll bet they just don't want to spend the $$ for setting up.

Go for it.

Gary D.

 

[melfox26]

Nitrox (enriched air) is a great tool for recreational divers, as it has more oxygen and less nitrogen. That allows longer no decompression limits on dives.

Your LDS is wrong stating that Nitrox is dangerous and shouldn't be used. However, there are potential dangers to think about when diving on Nitrox. The potential for oxygen toxicity, as well as depth limits are somethings to plan for. For example, when diving on EANx-36, the max depth is 90 ft.

As stated before, it's a great tool, but you have to know how to use it properly, which is why you need a separate C-card for Enriched Air. I dive EANx-32 for all my diving, always keeping in mind the max depth. I'm sure you can find another LDS that offers EANx fills and training.

Mel

 

[ArcticDiver]

I was recently diving in Hawaii. When I asked how come Nitrox was so expensive and logistically so difficult to obtain I was told it was because of OSHA rules. It seems OSHA wouldn't let Dive Guides/Instructors, etc use anything but air. So, to avoid the problem of the crew member being on air and the divers being on something else they decided to discourage Nitrox use.

So, maybe the answer is something as simple as that?

If not then, if you have a choice, I'd find another dive shop.

 

[Don Burke]

Ive been with the same dive shop for many years. Thier a great shop but dont offer nitrox fill's or nitrox classes. I met a few divers this season that dive with enriched air they seem to thick it great. My dive shop says that nitrox it very dangerous and shouldnt be used. My thoughts are that thier only saying that because they dont supply it. What the boards thoughts on this?

I think your thoughts are correct.

Within it's limits, EAN gives you more time on no-required-stop dives and less deco obligation on staged deco dives.

If you are running out of time before you hit your turn pressure, EAN is worth looking into.

If you observe the limits, EAN is no more dangerous than air. For whatever reason, the shop is feeding you a line.

 

[Laser]

Ive been with the same dive shop for many years. Thier a great shop but dont offer nitrox fill's or nitrox classes. I met a few divers this season that dive with enriched air they seem to thick it great. My dive shop says that nitrox it very dangerous and shouldnt be used. My thoughts are that thier only saying that because they dont supply it. What the boards thoughts on this?

Do they sell BC's or are they advocating horse collars?

 

[scubasean]

My thoughts are that thier only saying that because they dont supply it.

Bingo

Ask them to be specific why they believe what they believe....then make your own judgements.

 

[lhpdiver]

I had two thoughts when I read your post. Maybe you caught the guy on a bad day and he was just blowing you off. Or maybe nitrox isn't appropriate in the area he services. I dive nitrox alot because, in bulk (2500 cuft) its the same cost as air, but for most it does cost more and really is overkill for 30-40 foot dives.