kwest
Contributor
Ok. So I have an AOW certification, but am only able to get in about 10 dives a year. Should I start to dive Nitrox? Any one else at my same level made the switch?
What's the deal with Nitrox?
- Thread starter kwest
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If you're doing all 10 dives on the same day... yep.
Actually, Nitrox is great for extending bottom time/reducing surface intervals on multi-dive days.
If you're doing 1 or 2 dives a day, and if they're relatively shallow recreational dives, Nitrox might just be an unnecessary expense...
Actually, Nitrox is great for extending bottom time/reducing surface intervals on multi-dive days.
If you're doing 1 or 2 dives a day, and if they're relatively shallow recreational dives, Nitrox might just be an unnecessary expense...
There is no DEAL on Nitrox here... it costs 2-2.5X as much as good old air. If you're not doing a lot of repetitive diving, it probably doesn't make too much sense. Some folks believe they feel less tired after diving Nitrox. I've been diving 46 years now and I've never tried the stuff myself.
Papa_Bear
Contributor
Come on Drbill, time to come over to the dark side! Geezer Gas for divers who have been for 30 years or more!
But I agree, unless your doing multiple daily dives, it doesn't make too much of a difference! 
But I agree, unless your doing multiple daily dives, it doesn't make too much of a difference! 
Anti-Hero
Contributor
After my nitrox certification I dove it exclusively. I'm not sure if it's a psychological thing, or a physiological thing but nitrox always made me feel tense and jittery. I've since started diving air again and the feeling went away. I can't say I'm done with nitrox, but I'm certainly going to be a lot more selective as to when I use it.
psychocabbage
Contributor
We are NAUI Nitrox certified and dove it in Cozumel. Great stuff.
I didnt experience any of the colder temps on the gas being inhaled as some said it would be.. I did notice less fatigue.
The price is a bit much and not sure I would dive it all the time. Then add to the fact that you have to make sure you tell your computer that you are diving nitrox and the % or your computer is going to be worth anything..
If you hate dive tables, nitrox means a whole new set!
I didnt experience any of the colder temps on the gas being inhaled as some said it would be.. I did notice less fatigue.
The price is a bit much and not sure I would dive it all the time. Then add to the fact that you have to make sure you tell your computer that you are diving nitrox and the % or your computer is going to be worth anything..
If you hate dive tables, nitrox means a whole new set!
kwest
Unless as the others have said the 10 dives are in 3 days there isn't much benefit for you.
That is assuming that your dives are ending for low air or something other than you hitting your NDL. If you are ending the dives based on nitrogen loading then Nitrox is the ticket. At 10 dives per year that is unlikely.
You might consider adding some detail to your profile. That can help in connecting with other regional divers will give you more opportunities to dive. In any case it will net you more and better responses to questions.
Pete
Unless as the others have said the 10 dives are in 3 days there isn't much benefit for you.
That is assuming that your dives are ending for low air or something other than you hitting your NDL. If you are ending the dives based on nitrogen loading then Nitrox is the ticket. At 10 dives per year that is unlikely.
You might consider adding some detail to your profile. That can help in connecting with other regional divers will give you more opportunities to dive. In any case it will net you more and better responses to questions.
Pete
Welcome to the board.
To a large extent it depends on what "10 dives a year" are. If that's 10 total dives over several trips, esp if the dives are in fairly shallow water then nitrox is pretty much a waste. On the other hand if that's 10 dives in a couple of days then nitrox may be a good idea. The types of dives also make a difference. If those 10 dives are on the deep side 100ft+ then nitrox may be a good idea as well IF you are renting tanks larger than 80's. I don't come close to my air NDL on 80s so no need for nitrox on 2 tank dives but I like to rent 100s when doing deep dives off NC. A 100 gets me real close (or over) to my air NDL, nitrox extends my NDL a good amount. IMO, it's worth the extra expence considering the extra bottom time and the overall cost of the trip.
I also use nitrox when in Bonaire. Doing 3 to 6 dives a day over 5 days it helps reduce my N2 uptake and I do seem to feel better. Most resorts have started including it in the package so why not.
To a large extent it depends on what "10 dives a year" are. If that's 10 total dives over several trips, esp if the dives are in fairly shallow water then nitrox is pretty much a waste. On the other hand if that's 10 dives in a couple of days then nitrox may be a good idea. The types of dives also make a difference. If those 10 dives are on the deep side 100ft+ then nitrox may be a good idea as well IF you are renting tanks larger than 80's. I don't come close to my air NDL on 80s so no need for nitrox on 2 tank dives but I like to rent 100s when doing deep dives off NC. A 100 gets me real close (or over) to my air NDL, nitrox extends my NDL a good amount. IMO, it's worth the extra expence considering the extra bottom time and the overall cost of the trip.
I also use nitrox when in Bonaire. Doing 3 to 6 dives a day over 5 days it helps reduce my N2 uptake and I do seem to feel better. Most resorts have started including it in the package so why not.
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