The next step

[jokeborn]

I'm having a blast going toward my AOW and Nitrox. I have decided that air is for non-divers, and I want Nitrox. I hate going back earlier and staying out longer, even though the other divers don't make too much fun of me (oh look, it's an airhead).
I have completed my deep, will be do naturalist and drift this weekend. Then nav and wreck. What a rush. I don't know why I waited 37 years to start this.

 

[scubagirl15]

I'm having a blast going toward my AOW and Nitrox. I have decided that air is for non-divers, and I want Nitrox. I hate going back earlier and staying out longer, even though the other divers don't make too much fun of me (oh look, it's an airhead).
I have completed my deep, will be do naturalist and drift this weekend. Then nav and wreck. What a rush. I don't know why I waited 37 years to start this.

Amen!

Well, here's to at least 37 more years to go!

 

[jokeborn]

LOL, and I plan to spend most of it underwater!

 

[Derek S]

Hey, it took me 32 years to find diving, I only wish I'd found it 10 years ago instead!

Congrats on taking your AOW dives, I'm in the midst of my AOW dives myself, only Deep and
Wreck to go (hopefully this weekend)!

I couldn't tell by your post yet if you have taken the Nitrox class or not, but here is a link to another thread that will give you more basic information on it. Just keep your head about you with it and you'll be fine.

http://www.scubaboard.com/t74380-nitrox,--what's-involved.html

 

[jokeborn]

I'm taking Nitrox in conjunction with the AOW. I'm tired of air.

 

[Padipro]

Congrats on finding something you love to do. I'm glad I discovered it when I was 25.

Nitrox is the way to go. Once you get your breathing down and spring for a slightly bigger tanks then the standard AL 80 you can do like my buddies and I do, first in last out.

Have fun and drop me a PM if you ever got down to the Ft. Lauderdale area, we have some great wrecks around here.

 

[mstudley]

I have decided that air is for non-divers, and I want Nitrox.

er... what's wrong with air? Nitrox is great and everything as a tool to do 'longer', shallower dives but air works just fine... even deeper than you're limited to on whatever mix of nitrox you are using....

Bigger tanks will help you out even more than nitrox if you want to be first in, last out... assuming your buddy is 'last out' with you. Give me a PST e-7 100 filled with air and I'll stay down all day.

 

[Nomaster]

er... what's wrong with air? Nitrox is great and everything as a tool to do 'longer', shallower dives but air works just fine... even deeper than you're limited to on whatever mix of nitrox you are using....

Bigger tanks will help you out even more than nitrox if you want to be first in, last out... assuming your buddy is 'last out' with you. Give me a PST e-7 100 filled with air and I'll stay down all day.

Yep, EANx is a tool with specific uses.

Tom

 

[Padipro]

Give me a PST e-7 100 filled with air and I'll stay down all day.

I've got a PST HP 100 filled with nitrox and I do stay down for what seems like all day, and I'll have less deco obligation then you would for a dive of the same depth and time.

The simple fact is that a diver with a similar breathing rate, tank volume and dive profile will have more bottom time available to them using Nitrox then you will using air.

You are right though when you say that Nitox is a tool, it's a tool designed to increase one's NDL by reducing the partial pressure of nitrogen in the breathing gas.

 

[OE2X]

I'm having a blast going toward my AOW and Nitrox. I have decided that air is for non-divers, and I want Nitrox. I hate going back earlier and staying out longer, even though the other divers don't make too much fun of me (oh look, it's an airhead).

Your air or EAN consumption will be reduced as you start to get more relaxed underwater. This will also happen as you get to the point where your bouyancy skills get better. You'll add and release less gas. Good breathing techniques will come with time as well. If you adopt a horizontal kicking position and become more streamlined with both body posture and gear configuration you will consume less gas. Having bigger tanks is also helpful to stay down longer too. Keep in mind that you will burn through more gas if you are in cold water or if you are exerting yourself. Make each dive safe, fun and throw in a bit of practice on a different skill.