What is NITROX?

Nitrox is any combination of nitrogen and oxygen. You have been breathing Nitrox since the day you were born. The air we breathe is compromised of approximately 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen. Nitrox mixtures with percentages of oxygen greater than 21% are called Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx). Scuba divers most commonly use the EANx mixtures of EAN 32 (32% oxygen / 68% nitrogen) and EAN 36 (36% oxygen / 64% nitrogen). IANTD offers unique, user friendly decompression tables for these EANx mixtures which are available in a supple yet durable, waterproof format.

Who uses EANx?

EANx was first used in 1912 and has been used extensively for over thirty years by commercial organizations and the military. It has also been in the medical field as a therapy gas. Advanced level divers have been taking advantage of EANx for cave diving, wreck diving, marine harvest and many other diving applications. More recently, EANx has been recognized by International Scuba diving certification agencies as an alternate breathing gas for recreational diving.

Isn't it for deep diving?

Many divers mistakenly believe EANx is used only on deep dives. Actually, the ideal range of EANx is between 40 feet (12 meters) and 130 feet (39 meters), the standard recreational depths.

What are the benefits of diving with EANx?

EANx has many advantages over air diving. Some of the benefits are:

• EANx, when used with standard dive tables or computers, provides a tremendous safety factor. In fact, when utilized in this fashion, the actual nitrogen accumulation is that for a 10 fsw (3 msw) to 20 fsw (6 msw) shallower dive. THis application of EANx is actually ideal for divers who simply wish to be more conservative, those individuals who are not as young as they once were or those who may not be in peak physical fitness.
• A significant increase in bottom time no-decompression limits.
• A reduction of the possibility of decompression illness.
• A reduction of decompression time if the no-deco limits are exceeded.
• Reduced fatigue after the dive (declared by many EANx divers).

I keep reading that Nitrox is risky. Is this true?

Some of those who question the use of EANx lack the certification, experience, and complete knowledge to competently write and report on the recreational use of EANx. With proper training the risks of EANx diving are similar to air diving. Both have strict depth and time limitations. The treatment of Decompression Illness (DCI) in the recompression chamber is also similar with both EANx and air.

What about oxygen toxicity?

As a certified air diver, you were taught how to monitor your nitrogen uptake by utilizing a set of dive tables. The deeper the depth, the shorter the amount of allowable no-deco bottom time available due to nitrogen accumulation. The same principle applies to oxygen at deeper depths. The greater the depth, the shorter the bottom time. Oxygen toxicity (on air or EANx) usually comes into play deeper than at the standard recreational depths of 40 fsw (12 msw) to 130 fsw (39 msw). EANx dive tables provide a reliable, conservative, and easy way to dive between 40 fsw (12 msw) to 130 fsw (39 msw) while taking advantage of EANx benefits.

Are there special equipment requirements for EANx?

Your standard scuba gear can be used with EAN22 through EAN 40, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Tanks for EANx are color coded, and dedicated. See your International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) professional for further information.

Where can I get EANx?

Aqua Specialists can provide you with the proper mixtures for all your diving needs. If you are traveling outside the area, then any competent dive shop should be able to supply you with the proper mixtures.

Do I have to be certified to use EANx?

Yes! IANTD instructors and facilities such as Aqua Specialists offer a full range of continuing educational courses including Basic Open Water and EANx Diver. You will want to continue your EANx education with Advanced EANx, Techical EANx, EANX Cave, EANx Wrexk, EANx Overhead Environment, Rebreather, Trimix Diver, Gas Blender and many others.

Who do I talk to for more information?

Contact your IANTD instructors at Aqua Specialists: John Norris IANTD #180, or Joel Stoffa IANTD #186

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