PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox)
Enriched Air, also known as "Nitrox", is a form of breathing gas that allows divers to reduce nitrogen loading. This enables you to typically stay down longer and get back in the water sooner. No wonder many divers choose this as their very first specialty.
PADI Enriched Air Diver Online can be completed in as little as an afternoon. After completing your online learning you'll apply the knowledge you've learned by practicing procedures for obtaining and analysing enriched air with your PADI Instructor. You also have the option of completing two open water enriched air dives.
This certification counts towards the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating.
What You'll Learn
You'll learn why diving with air that has higher oxygen and lower nitrogen content gives you more bottom time, along with enriched air equipment considerations. During a practical session, and two optional scuba dives, you'll learn:
- Techniques for getting more dive time by using enriched air nitrox
- Enriched air scuba diving equipment considerations
- Discuss managing oxygen exposure.
- Practice analysing oxygen content in your scuba cylinder.
- How to set your dive computer for diving with enriched air nitrox.
Prerequisites and Requirements
Age Requirement
16 years of age, or older
Course Prerequisites
PADI Open Water Diver certification, or proof of entry-level diver certification from another training organisation
Time Commitment
The Scuba Doctor Enriched Air Diver courses run to the following schedule:
- Theory — Typically a classroom evening
- Dives — You will complete "dry dive" exercises during the theory evening, and then there are two (2) optional in-water dives which can be arranged for when you are next in the water.
Equipment
Most modern scuba equipment and dive computers can be used with enriched air, but your PADI Instructor will let you know if your gear meets manufacturer recommendations and local requirements. However, scuba tanks must meet oxygen service standards and be dedicated for use with enriched air. You'll practice using oxygen analysers and special cylinder decals. We'll explain other equipment you may need to enjoy enriched air diving.
Personal Equipment — You'll need to provide your own bathing suit and towel. For your personal hygiene and comfort, there are some things that we simply choose not to provide you with, and this is more out of concern for your health and well-being than anything else. These include:
- Snorkel — Risk of orally transmitted diseases
- Mask — To prevent masks fogging, divers spit in their masks. Would you like to put on your face something that someone else has recently spat in?
- Gloves — Dermatitis
- Dive Boots — Tinea is a nasty fungal bug that loves to jump from one person to another
- Fins — Complete your own snorkelling kit
If you don't already have them, you can buy these items in our dive shop online or in-store. Our experienced dive shop staff can help you with the right equipment choices.
Rental Equipment — Rental gear is not included in the price. The Scuba Doctor has high-quality BCDs, Regulators with Dive Computers, Scuba Cylinders, Wetsuits and Weight Belts available for hire. See Scuba Equipment Rental for details.
Your Next Adventure
Diving with Enriched Air Nitrox benefits all types of diving, but it goes especially well with these specialties:
- PADI Wreck Diver — Popular wrecks tend to be deeper, so Enriched Air Nitrox maximises your exploration time.
- PADI Deep Diver — The deeper you dive, the shorter your no stop time — but Enriched Air Nitrox increases it, giving your more time at depth
- PADI Digital Underwater Photographer — Photographers usually like to make several dives so they can get lots of pictures. Enriched Air Nitrox reduces the amount of residual nitrogen you accumulate, allowing repetitive dives to be longer.