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sparragus
Contributor
Hehe. GUE has real reasons behind it. Like everything they do, their gases follow a standard. In fact, they call their gas mixtures standard gases.
This article explains a lot about it Standard Gases: The Simplicity of Everyone Singing the Same Song
This article explains a lot about it Standard Gases: The Simplicity of Everyone Singing the Same Song
Since GUE adheres to a maximum END (equivalent narcotic depth) of 30m, there's no benefit to using air, and only drawbacks. Here in Norway we pay the same for an air fill and a Nitrox fill, so there isn't even an economic excuse. I understand that is different on the other side of the pond. That said, the GUE divers I know will dive air (to 30m) if that is all that is available.
I think the attitude of some (old school?) GUE divers around using air is probably a response to the mainstream agencies demonizing Nitrox as "voodoo gas" back in the day. It seems a little out of place these days.
I think sparragus hit the nail on the head when it comes to the advantages of standard gases, and GUE also use EAN32 to blend other standard gas mixes, so I'm guessing you will find banked 32% in most GUE-centric dive shops.
I think the attitude of some (old school?) GUE divers around using air is probably a response to the mainstream agencies demonizing Nitrox as "voodoo gas" back in the day. It seems a little out of place these days.
I think sparragus hit the nail on the head when it comes to the advantages of standard gases, and GUE also use EAN32 to blend other standard gas mixes, so I'm guessing you will find banked 32% in most GUE-centric dive shops.
jadairiii
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All of GUE's recreational decompression/safety stops are based on 32% also.
Having a few GUE certifications, I will admit I do use evil air on occasion....I have 2 alum 80 dedicated to air (marked properly) for my beach diving, max, max depth is about 35', average being 20', so there is absolutely no benefit to EAN mixes, IMHO......but keep this between you and me
Having a few GUE certifications, I will admit I do use evil air on occasion....I have 2 alum 80 dedicated to air (marked properly) for my beach diving, max, max depth is about 35', average being 20', so there is absolutely no benefit to EAN mixes, IMHO......but keep this between you and me
I don't see the benefits of using 32% for a 50ft dive...All of GUE's recreational decompression/safety stops are based on 32% also.
Having a few GUE certifications, I will admit I do use evil air on occasion....I have 2 alum 80 dedicated to air (marked properly) for my beach diving, max, max depth is about 35', average being 20', so the is absolutely no benefit to EAN mixes, IMHO......but keep this between you and me
Single dive - not too many benefits aside from less fatigue (N2 sat?). Multiple dives - different story
jadairiii
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The argument for using 32% for a 50' dive, and it is valid, is that you could get out to the dive site and you end up in 50'-75', and there is a benefit to using 32%.
Why GUE has standard gases, you dont end up doing a dive with a gas that is less than optimal or you cant use.
I know that my beach dives will never be deeper than 35', at its deepest, but when I go out on a dive boat, for a recreational dive, 32% is what I take, it is an adequate gas to 100'. Plus, it is a gas that even at max working depth, the diver's PpO2 is a 1.26.
And some of this comes from years ago when you would see people on dive boats with 40% EAN or other crazy mixes that had PpO2's of 1.6 to 2.
technically with nitrox 32 you can hit 125ft without any issue. Will I prob nope, maybe a lower % o2 will be a better mix IMO
OMyMyOHellYes
Contributor
Because 32 is a bigger number than 21?
And mo' is betterer.
And mo' is betterer.
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