PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Speciality
The Enriched Air Nitrox(EAN) or generally referred to as Nitrox speciality introduces you to all thinks Nitrox. This is air with a higher concentration of oxygen in it. Breathing a higher concentration of Oxygen means you are breathing less Nitrogen, which means you increase your no-stop times (the length of time you can stay diving, in simple terms).
This allows you to stay underwater which means you have longer to explore and maybe take those pictures you so desperately want to take, any excuse to stay underwater you wish really.
Not interested in longer bottom times, then one other advantage is shorter surface interval times and it makes you feel less tired if you do a lot of diving in a week (scientifically unproven, but a large number of divers agree!)
A larger number of dive resorts are now providing nitrox free to qualified divers particularly if they are a long distance away from a hyperbaric chamber, so if free and it provides the benefits we have mentioned then why not dive it
BUT there are downsides to breathing higher concentrations of Oxygen and during this course you will learn about those to allow you to understand the pro's and con's.
Also, it is essential that if qualified to dive on Nitrox you own or have access to an analyser. You simply should not rely on the cylinder filling station to fill your cylinders with the correct mix every time without getting it wrong now and then. People make mistakes, so each diver needs to be self-responsible and analyse their own breathing gas.
On completing this course you will be able to dive with Nitrox up to a maximum of 40% oxygen.
This Speciality certification also counts as one of the five Speciality certifications required for your Master Scuba Diver certification.
What Do I need?
- PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent qualification)
- 12 years or older for this course
- Dive Computer (we will provide for the course if you do not have)
What will I do during this course?
You will complete some self study using the supplied manual or e-learning, followed by an in class session, where you will:-
- Learn how to care for equipment used in enriched air diving
- Learn how to avoid possible operational hazards and underwater hazards associated with oxygen
- Learn to setup and use a Nitrox analyser
- Practise analysing two cylinders or more as required and completing the required paperwork
- Practise marking the cylinder as part of dive equipment preparation for a dive
- Using the results of the cylinders analysed, configure your dive computer and plan a suitable dive.
- If you have chosen to complete the speciality with dives then you will plan and make no decompression dives using enriched air blends containing 22% to 40% oxygen, remaining within accepted dive table and oxygen exposure limits using tables and dive computers
- Learn about Daltons Triangle and how to use
But I do not own a computer
If you do not own a computer, not an issue, we will supply you with one of our school computers either an Aqualung i300c or a Suunto EON Core. But, if you do, please bring it along.
Or better still why not take advantage of our combined computer and Enriched Air Speciality offer that is currently running
Materials
As part of your course you will choose if you want to learn via the PADI Enriched Air Crewpak, inclusive of your manual with Dive computer Simulator Access Card or via elearning.
If elearning then you can choose to purchase your elearning direct from PADI or directly from us. Depending on if you purchase direct from PADI using the 'button' displayed here or choose our integrated option depends on how much you pay us - see below.
Any Other Information?
Yes, you can choose to complete TWO open water dives using Nitrox (perhaps blend this with a Wreck Speciality or Advanced Open Water course
Yes, see our article that explains all about enriched air / Nitrox
Whats Next?
The primary aim of gaining additional bottom time or shorter surface intervals is to go diving, so come diving with us or book that trip you know you want to go on. We would be happy to facilitate for you.
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