What is Nitrox?
Have you heard about Nitrox or enriched air? Did you know Nitrox is the most popular PADI specialty course? There are many myths about Nitrox, so in this blog article we’ll take a closer look and separate fact from fiction.
We regularly teach a Nitrox scuba diving course at both Murex Manado and Murex Bangka and it only takes half a day (just one of many courses on offer at Murex). But if you’re short of time, this blog should give you the basic facts about enriched air nitrox – its benefits, depth limits, and the PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver Specialty course.
But first, let’s take a deep breath. The air entering your lungs right now is approximately 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen. Nitrox (also referred to as enriched air Nitrox, enriched air, EAN or EANX) has a higher ratio of oxygen to air. The most common blends contain either 32% oxygen or 36% oxygen (and the maximum is 40%).
What are the Benefits of Increased Oxygen Levels?
The benefits of diving with Nitrox are not actually due to the increased oxygen, but from the decrease in nitrogen. For example, if diving with 32% oxygen your blend contains only 68% nitrogen. If diving with 36% oxygen, your blend has just 62% nitrogen.
Your body can only absorb a certain amount of nitrogen safely. If you exceed these levels, gas bubbles may form in your body, causing decompression sickness (‘the bends’). By decreasing the level of nitrogen in your tank, you slow down the rate at which nitrogen accumulates in your body. This slower build-up of nitrogen means you can spend more time diving at depth.
The table below shows the maximum allowable bottom time at different depths when using air, compared to using Nitrox 32% and Nitrox 36% – the differences are impressive – now you can see why this is the most popular PADI Specialty course in the world!
Can I Dive Deeper?
The benefits of diving with Nitrox are not actually due to the increased oxygen, but from the decrease in nitrogen. For example, if diving with 32% oxygen your blend contains only 68% nitrogen. If diving with 36% oxygen, your blend has just 62% nitrogen.
As the maximum depth for Advanced Open Water Divers is 30 meters and the majority of the world’s best dive sites, including those here in North Sulawesi, lay between 25 meters and the surface, depth limitation is not an issue – but longer bottom time is! Ultimately, it means more time to see the incredible marine life we have here and enjoy being underwater.
Are There Health & Safety Benefits to Diving with Nitrox?
If you dive with Nitrox and use a computer to plan your dive correctly, you will have less nitrogen accumulating in your body. As a result, you will need less time to release it between dives, which means shorter surface intervals.
Some divers have reported feeling “less tired” after diving with Nitrox, but there is no solid medical evidence on this yet.
What does the Nitrox Course Entail?
This is PADI’s most popular program for good reason – it gives you more time to spend with the fishes! The course can be taken through PADI eLearning at home, and then you’ll only need to complete a small practical component. This includes learning how to analyze the contents of your tank and signing off for it.
Is it Worth It?
YES! You’ll be able to stay longer at your chosen depth and have shorter surface intervals (but please note that we always have a minimum one-hour surface interval). In addition, many liveaboards only take Nitrox divers, and when diving in remote destinations some dive insurance companies make diving with Nitrox a mandatory requirement.
Nitrox in North Sulawesi
So, are you ready to get Nitrox certified? To take the program online, sign up for PADI eLearning OR contact reservations@murexdive.com to book a course at one of our resorts. It’s a quick program that’s a lot of fun, a good reminder of diving theory, and one which opens up numerous opportunities in the future! Nitrox is just one of many courses available at Murex.
Do you want to see all that North Sulawesi has to offer in one incredible trip? Join us on a Passport to Paradise and dive Bunaken -> Bangka -> Lembeh in one phenomenal holiday.
Experience the staggering walls and stunning corals of the Bunaken Marine Park, immerse yourself in a world of color at Bangka Island and dive the world’s best muck in Lembeh. With boat diving transfers between resorts, you won’t have any wasted transfer days, no gear drying and no packing – just get up and dive, dive, dive!
For more information and to book your place, contact reservations@murexdive.com.
We look forward to welcoming you to North Sulawesi.
