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What is Nitrox?
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Nitrox is simply air that is enriched with additional oxygen.
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A Nitrox mixture has an oxygen concentration between 22% and 50%.
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Nitrox is cleaner than ordinary compressed air because it contains less condensed hydrocarbons/oil vapors.
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Isn't Nitrox "mixed gas" for commercial divers only?
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Nitrox is not mixed gas. It is a blend of the same gases that you are breathing NOW. It is just enriched with a specified % of Oxygen in order to lower the Nitrogen %.
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Why would I want to use Nitrox?
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There are many applications to its use. Since Nitrox has a lower partial pressure of Nitrogen than regular air, its "bad" effects can be delayed, reduced or eliminated. Much depends on depths and repetition. In short, any dive deeper than 40 ft shows significant time or safety margin benefit. Each successive dive on Nitrox simply increases these benefits!
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Doesn't more oxygen cause problems?
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The training teaches you how to use the oxygen enriched air with a significant safety factor. The U.S. Navy and NOAA have been using Nitrox since the 1970's. This is not a new idea. Using the correct blend of Nitrox at 100 feet is in fact safer than using "air" at 75 feet!
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What new diving equipment do I need?
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No new equipment is required. Nitrox is compatible with most existing equipment.
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Can my cylinder be filled with Nitrox?
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Yes. If the cylinder has been cleaned and inspected by a certified Nitrox facility and the cylinder meets other coding standard, including Nitrox/Nitrox labeling. Of course, you must be certified for its use.
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How much safer is Nitrox?
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Nitrox adds new dimensions in safety for dives between 40 and 130 feet. It can add considerable bottom time or if safety is the primary objective, just dive the air table or your computer and have a two-stop safety factor. A dive at 90 feet on Nitrox has the approximate time limit of a 70 ft. dive on air (50 min.). This provides a safety margin of 20 minutes using Nitrox at 90 ft. in conjunction with standard "air" table.
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Can anyone blend Nitrox?
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No. It takes sophisticated equipment and hydrocarbon free gas to do this properly and safely.
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Are there other effects of using Nitrox?
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Yes. There is a reduction of nitrogen's narcotic effect and post-dive fatigue levels. After a dive, residual nitrogen in the body is reduced, which increases the available bottom time on repetitive dives, decreases surface intervals, or both.
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Which no decompression table do I use with Nitrox?
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Use NOAA NI or NII tables for 32% and 36% oxygen of you like. Many Nitrox users convert the various mixtures to an "Equivalent Air Depth" (EAD) and use their normal tables. This is the easy way. As an example: A dive to 68 feet using a Nitrox mix of 40% oxygen is equivalent to an air dive of 44 feet. The bottom time allowed at 44 feet is significantly greater than a 68 foot dive profile. This is one of the many things you will learn in our Nitrox Course. We make it easy for you to extend your bottom time safely and get that last lobster that is always found just as your computer tells you it is time to ascend.
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How can I get started diving Nitrox?
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Enroll in our Nitrox course at Underwater Schools of America. The course covers History, Theory, Oxygen use, Dive planning, Gas Analysis and equipment coding and use. Two dives are included. Since you are already a diver, we don't hold your hand. Plan your dive and Dive the plan. Have fun!
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