AAA Scuba Diving Nitrox Course

Why Nitrox?

Contrary to popular belief, Nitrox isn't an exotic blend of gases used only for deep dives. The word "nitrox" is a contraction of the words nitrogen and oxygen - which are the same gases you are breathing right now (that's not so exotic, is it?). The difference between the air we breathe, including the compressed air used most often in recreational diving, and Nitrox is in the percentages of each gas. The air we breathe is made up of approximately 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen (with minuscule amounts of other gases mixed in). Nitrox contains a higher percentage (up to 40%) of oxygen than compressed air.

Why More Oxygen?

The recreational diving tables we use to tell us how long we can dive at certain depths are all about nitrogen absorption. The deeper you go and the longer you stay, the more nitrogen is absorbed into your body. The tables help us stay within healthy limits of nitrogen absorption. By replacing some of the nitrogen with oxygen, we decrease the rate of nitrogen absorption. Less nitrogen absorption means increased bottom time!

Take a look at the difference Nitrox can make:

Does Nitrox Diving Require Special Equipment?

When diving with Nitrox blends of up to 40% oxygen, no special gear is needed, other than Nitrox tanks that are specially cleaned and marked.

Take the PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver Certification Course

This is a one-day course with approximately 3-4 hours of class time. The class will have lectures, an instructional video, and an exam. Included in the course are your books, 3 Nitrox diving slates, two Nitrox dives, and your certification card. Gear is provided free. For safety and comfort, our gear is replaced each year. To take this course, you must be at least 15 years of age and have either an Advanced Open Water Certification or 10 dives beyond your Open Water Certification dives. Cost: $250 +tax.

Dive with Nitrox

Once certified, nitrox divers can enjoy extended bottom times with any of our charters . Add $10 +tax for each nitrox dive.

OR

Check out our Multi-Day Diving Nitrox Packages!