Why Nitrox

[Zoomer]

READ......

http://www.gasdiving.co.uk/pages/misc/Nitrox.htm

 

[Walter]

I haven't seen any evidence suggesting it's psychological.

Perhaps you should follow the link I provided and read the material there.

 

[Goose75]

If you feel better, you feel better. We are not disputing some people feel better after diving with nitrox than after diving with air. We are merely discussing the reasons you feel better. Evidence suggests it is psychological, but even if it is psychological, you still feel better.

My post was an attempt at humor based on a personal experience. I can't claim it occurs because I believed it since I considered it a myth. However, I'm still skeptical because it could be many causes.

As for the evidence, everything I've read indicates it is commonly reported but there isn't enough known to isolate a cause psychological or physical. So no one knows the reason we just speculate until we know more.

 

[AlanDeep]

I believe the reason I feel better and am not tired all day after 3 tank dives on nitrox, is because the enriched oxygen replenishes your blood faster!

This is especially effective when waiting at the safety stop.

It's similar to why football players breathe extra oxygen on the sidelines, even when they're not in Denver.

 

[StraitsdiverGeo]

Yo Daner!

Nitrox does have it's place and uses, it can be a great tool to have in your pocket for a diver, If nothing else taking the class will only build on your diving skills and who knows maybe you will find a new dive buddie?

Regards, George

 

[caseybird]

Well sure take the course - something wrong with my post, tho...?

No, nothing wrong with your post, I'm just a little "uncomfortable" with the way board threads go. Someone asks a general question, gets some good answers, then the thread swerves into personal preferences, impressions, biases. Meanwhile, the original poster is getting the idea there is no set protocol, no scientific basis, no standards. They can also wind up with an extremely fragmented understanding of diving science. Nitroc courses don't cost that much, all the courses (including PADI's) cover the basics in an organized manner.

To me, this lack of academic rigor is a serious problem when we are discussing nitrox/gas theory or deco. There is plenty of room to discuss different techniques, but I think the "going to the board" approach to answer these questions short-circuits the basic education each diver needs to evaluate the theories put foward on scubaboard.

Don, your answer to the post was absolutely correct, 28% is the correct nitrox mix for the planned depth. I was bothered by the fact the question was even asked. Calculating this mix is basic, and each diver is responsibile for making the choice of gas mix. Telling him the answer, without requiring the diver to demonstrate the basic understanding of how that number is derived demonstrates the irresponsibility of the diver seeking the answer. That diver is not qualified to use the mix, and shouldn't.

Deco theory suffers from the same problem on the board. Approaches like depth averaging and accelerated deco are tossed around. These approaches may work fine for a paticular diver on a paticular dive, but fail to demonstrate any unbiased data that might show thier suitability for a range of recreational divers. Especially divers who are not trained in the dangers lurking in the corners.

There is also misinformation and incomplete information out there. Some of it is presented with an overwhelming air of confidence and authority. Some of it is questionable, some of it is downright wrong. Without formal training, there is no way to seperate the good ideas from the deadly.

Maybe I'm taking this way too seriously. Just made Coz reservations for June. Ahh, Mescolito's is waiting for me.

 

[MoonWrasse]

No, nothing wrong with your post, I'm just a little "uncomfortable" with the way board threads go. Someone asks a general question, gets some good answers, then the thread swerves into personal preferences, impressions, biases. Meanwhile, the original poster is getting the idea there is no set protocol, no scientific basis, no standards.

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

 

[caseybird]

Welcome to ScubaBoard!

Thanks for having me!

 

[Scubagolf]

Perhaps, but how do you know? I've only seen one study of the subject, I'll be happy to share it with you here. I freely admit there is room for more study and these results may not be upheld in further studies, but as of now there is nothing to suggest the good feeling is anything other than the placebo effect.

I am most interested in reading any other studies on the topic you may have encountered.

By the way, Don is correct, I do teach the course.

The Australian study simply attempted to reproduce the effect of a single "dive", using the subjective reflections of a small group of "divers" who were in a dry compression chamber. There has been no effort (to my knowledge) to date to reproduce the effect/or lack of effect of Nitrox on divers doing repetitive dives.

 

[Walter]

The Australian study simply attempted to reproduce the effect of a single "dive", using the subjective reflections of a small group of "divers" who were in a dry compression chamber. There has been no effort (to my knowledge) to date to reproduce the effect/or lack of effect of Nitrox on divers doing repetitive dives.

Absolutely true. There is certainly room for additional studies. I'd love to see a double blind study address that issue.