divematt
Contributor
Rick Inman:
You have absolutely GOT to be kidding?
Nitrox
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You have absolutely GOT to be kidding?
lamont
Contributor
divematt:
I don't think he is. I know that I'm not.
I used EAN before getting certified for EAN, I didn't die. I figured out equivalent air depth on my own before ever reading or hearing about it, it just seemed unbelievably obvious. Nothing that was in the course standards in the nitrox course I took taught me anything. The only thing which made the course worthwhile was that the instructor taught oxtox rescue scenarios. Given how easy the nitrox content is, I don't understand why it isn't taught in BOW other than the opportunity to get another $200 out of divers...
Well, yes, I am exaggerating. But I agree with those who think that Nitrox certification should be included in basic OW. It's not rocket science, which is why it's normally a one day class with a couple of dives just to show you can apply what you learned.divematt:
Or, we could go back to calling it voodoo gas.
EDIT: Oops. Didn't see Lamont's post.
What he said.
divematt
Contributor
lamont:
Nothing that was in the course standards in the nitrox course I took taught me anything.
Wow,
My instructor and the book I read taught me a lot. I didn't pay $200.00 for Nitrox, sorry that you did and that you learned nothing from the course. You must be pretty smart to have learned it all on your own.
I used EAN before getting certified for EAN, I didn't die.
So, everyone should just go out and dive with Nitrox before being certified? How'd you get it? Which operator fills your tanks without having you sign their log after the O2 level is checked and having you fill in your Nitrox certification#? Was it the guy that you eventually paid $200.00 that you learned nothing from? I see that you are DIR! Is that doing it right?
Sorry, I just can't agree here. I'm not denying that it could be taught in OW class, but maybe that's why they don't teach trimix or rescue or any other more advanced level of scuba all in one class.
Charlie99
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While Lamont and Rick might be exaggerating just a bit, if you think back to what really are the essential to know for diving nitrox, it really isn't much.divematt:
1. Equivalent air depth for calculating deco. The equation for figuring out what depth on air has the same ppN2 as a given depth on a particular nitrox mix is some pretty simple algebra.
2. CNS dosage and limits. Like ppN2 calcs, ppO2 calculations are straightforward, as are the NOAA single dive and 24 hour limits. The only amazing thing is that there are so many divers that equate a momentary spike in ppO2 above 1.4ata with instant death, and that most nitrox classes omit any discussion of the decay on the CNS clock. Do you know how your dive computer treats this??? Does your computer use 75 minute, 90 minute halftime or something else. There wasn't any discussion of this important item in my class.
3. Analyzing and marking tanks.
--------- some nice to have, but not essential items
4. Ox tox signs, symptoms, and rescue procedures.
5. Whole body/pulmonary toxicity calculations.
6. Review of O2 cleaning of tanks and regs, EAN fill methods (e.g. partial pressure, membrane, continuous flow, prebanked, etc.), and the cleaning requirements associated with the different fill methods.
The essentials might take longer than a boat ride out to the divesite, but not by much.
One more question here -- I haven't seen it discussed elsewhere, and this seems to be as good a place as any:
Some have claimed that Nitrox increases their *breathing gas* time (not NDL -- which is obvious). Further explanation: someone who is known to themselves as a "hoover" for breathing gas consumption claims he can dive for longer (i.e. his gas consumption drops) on Nitrox.
Is this realistic, or is it a placebo effect?
Some have claimed that Nitrox increases their *breathing gas* time (not NDL -- which is obvious). Further explanation: someone who is known to themselves as a "hoover" for breathing gas consumption claims he can dive for longer (i.e. his gas consumption drops) on Nitrox.
Is this realistic, or is it a placebo effect?
BingoKrisB:
there is no physiological reason for higher oxygen content to reduce air consumption since breathing response in triggered by CO2 increase not oxygen reduction (except in a very small percent of people)
KrisB:
Absolutely not. This type of statement is usually made by those who don't really understand what nitrox is or what/when/how it should be dove. It allows for extended bottom time due to the longer no decompression limits, NOT because you breathe less. There is the same amount of gas in a nitrox cylinder, it is just enriched with more oxygen. However, inj theory, diving nitrox to notrox limits is absolutely no different than diving air to air limits, so if you are extending your bottom time by using nitrox, you are not diving any more conservatively.
That's exactly what I thought... a dive buddy of mine claimed the opposite. He consumed so much air that he makes a point of doing everything he can to make his underwater time last, including an argon bottle for his drysuit and using Nitrox. (Of course, the benefit of the last bit is just his imagination...)Christi:
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