Nitrox for beginners
What is Nitrox?
Nitrox is a name for a breathing gas with a different proportion of oxygen to ordinary air.
The air we breathe (including the air in tanks that divers use) is about 1/5 (21%) Oxygen and 4/5 (79%) Nitrogen.
Nitrox has extra oxygen (most commonly 32% or 36%) and correspondingly less Nitrogen.
Why use Nitrox?
When we dive we absorb Nitrogen into our bodies, this limits how long we can stay underwater.
Too much Nitrogen and when we finish our dive we may get ill.
By using Nitrox, we absorb less Nitrogen on a dive so the dive is safer.
As an Ocean Diver you can use Nitrox 32 and Nitrox 36 instead of air for safer diving.
As a Sport Diver or above, you can use various mixes of Nitrox (up to 36%) for safety or to extend your dive time.
BSAC is the first (and only) agency to integrate Nitrox with our diver training program, offering all our divers increased
flexibility and safety in their diving.
Copyright (C) Iain Crampton, Stingray Divers 2002 - 2007. All images (C) their respective owners. No re-use without permission.
If you have any comments, suggestions or wish to use any content, please contact me.