Looking to extend your bottom time?

Then check out PADI's latest program - Enriched Air Diver.

This Nitrox program emphasizes the theoretical and operational considerations involved with enriched air diving to allow you to make the most of your bottom time.

What is Nitrox?

The gas you are breathing now - air! - consists of approximately 21% oxygen, 79% nitrogen. This is what you normally dive with too. Nitrox (also called Enriched Air or EANx) has a higher percentage of oxygen with a corresponding lower percentage of nitrogen. The most common percentages of oxygen are 32% and 36%. The PADI Enriched Air Course qualifies you to dive with up to 40% oxygen.

Why is it so popular?

More dive time for one cylinder! With a higher percentages of oxygen no-decompression limits are longer, because less nitrogen is getting absorbed than if doing the same dive on air. For example a dive to 30m using 36% oxygen allows a bottom time of 35 minutes, compared with only 20 minutes if using air.

What are the concerns?

The biggest concern is the danger of oxygen poisoning (not a problem if diving on air to recreational diving depths). Also, because diving Nitrox generally adds an extra step in the dive planning process, there is a potentially increased risk of miscalculating. Both of these concerns are fully covered on the course.

Do I need any special equipment?

No - for percentages of oxygen up to 40% you can dive with your usual equipment.

What does the course involve?

We will cover the theoretical side of things, allowing you to become comfortable in dive-planning. We will show you how to test a cylinder to ensure that you have the correct mix.  There is also an optional dive on Nitrox at a local dive site, so that you can try out your new skills.

(Must be at least 15 years old and be PADI Open Water or equivalent)

The PADI Dry Suit Diver certification credits toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating