Nitrox FAQS

Q. What doeEANx stand for?

A. Enriched Air Nitrox

Q. Is Nitrox Safe?

A. Yes, ultimately, Nitrox is exceedingly safe. As with all diving, there are inherent risks, however, if you are a safe and conscious diver, it is unlikely that any of the issues will ever be a factor.

Q. Someone told me Nitrox is “Voodoo Gas” or “Devil Gas.” Is this true?

A. In the late 1980’s and 1990’s nitrox was still relatively unknown and unproven hence why the nicknames. Experimented with by the cave diving community first, then the wreck diving community, it was considered a technical level gas by most until the late 1990’s when it became more mainstream. It has only been in the last two years that it has become a non-diving certification (although I still feel diving should be involved with the specialty). As with all diving, care should be taken to minimize the risks associated with nitrox, especially your oxygen exposure and pressure levels. Many feel that as diving moves forward into the next generations of divers, it will become more common to see divers with nitrox than air.

Q. How do I plan an Enriched Air Nitrox Dive?

A. Planning and enriched air nitrox dive is very much the same as planning any other dive using an RDP (Recreational Dive Planner); differences that will arise are ones like..
• Which RDP to use, as there are multiple ones for different mixes
• How do I track my oxygen exposure
• Should I use my lesser mix first or last
• Should I dive deeper or shallower first and
• What should my surface intervals be?
These are a few of many questions that can be asked and answered as you look to plan and Enriched Air Nitrox Dive. For more information, please book a specialty certification course through Seavisions.biz

Q. What is the cost of the class?

A. The cost is $95.00 plus books, which can rage from $35.00 to $65.00 depending on where you purchase them.

Q. How long does the Class take to complete?

A. Generally, one night of classroom which is about 4-5 hours depending on the size of the class and the completion of book work prior to the class. A class tends to go much faster and quicker when everyone has done their studies which allow the class to focus on the issues that may arise versus, teaching the whole class over.

Q. I need to convert my Enriched Air Nitrox to air depth (EAD)? Is there a formula?

A. Yes, there is a formula. See below:

Q. Is there an easier way to figure my EAD?

A. Yes, I have included an interactive worksheet below. Fill in the blanks for your answers.

Q. How do I figure my contingency Maximum Depth Formula for Enriched Air Nitrox for a 1.6 Partial Pressure?

A. The Formula is: 52.8 divided by mix percent (remember to use decimal places), minus 33 FSW= maximum contingency depth by feet for 1.6 partial pressure.

Q. How do I figure my Atmospheres (ATM’s) for Enriched Air Nitrox?

A. If you take your depth, divide it by 33 (fsw)and add 1; that should give you your ATM

Q. How do I figure my Oxygen Partial Pressure Formula for Enriched Air Nitrox?

A. Oxygen Partial Pressures are simple to calculate: Take your ATM (atmospheres) and multiply it by your Nitrox percentage mix.

Q. How do I figure my Maximum Depth Formula for Enriched Air Nitrox for a 1.4 Partial Pressure?

A. The formula is: 46.2 divided by mix percent (remember to use decimal places), minus 33 FSW= maximum depth by feet