PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox)
Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox)
More Bottom Time. Less Nitrogen. More Diving.
Want to get more from your dives? PADI Enriched Air Diver, commonly known as Nitrox or EANx, is one of the most popular PADI Specialty courses – and for good reason.
Enriched air contains a higher percentage of oxygen and less nitrogen than normal air. When used correctly, this can give you longer no-decompression limits, particularly on repetitive dives, and can mean shorter required surface intervals in some dive-planning situations.
You'll learn how to plan and safely dive with enriched air, analyse the gas in your cylinder and correctly set your dive computer – valuable skills whether you're heading on a diving holiday, liveaboard or simply looking to expand your diving knowledge.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR ENRICHED AIR DIVER COURSE?
PADI Enriched Air Diver eLearning
Learn the benefits and considerations of diving with Nitrox / EANx
Understand oxygen exposure and maximum operating depth
Learn how to analyse the oxygen content of a cylinder
Practise correctly recording and identifying your gas mix
Learn how to set your dive computer for Nitrox
Practical application session with a PADI Enriched Air Specialty Instructor
PADI Enriched Air Diver certification on successful completion
WHAT HAPPENS DURING YOUR COURSE?
Your course begins with PADI Enriched Air Diver eLearning, which you can complete at home and at your own pace.
You'll learn what enriched air is, why reducing the amount of nitrogen you breathe can increase your no-decompression limits and how the increased oxygen content affects your dive planning.
You'll also learn about oxygen exposure, maximum operating depth (MOD) and why knowing exactly what's inside your cylinder is so important.
Once you've completed the knowledge development, you'll join us for the practical part of the course.
We'll show you how to use an oxygen analyser to check the percentage of oxygen in your cylinder, correctly record the gas analysis and establish the maximum operating depth for that particular mix.
You'll also learn how to correctly set a dive computer for enriched air and make the appropriate checks before diving.
By the end, you'll understand not just how to dive Nitrox – but why you're making each of those decisions.
WHY DIVE WITH NITROX?
Every time you dive on normal air, your body absorbs nitrogen.
Enriched air contains less nitrogen than normal air, which means you absorb nitrogen more slowly during the dive.
The result can be longer no-decompression limits, particularly at the depths commonly visited by recreational divers.
This can be especially useful when you're making multiple dives in a day, such as on a liveaboard or diving holiday.
But Nitrox isn't simply about putting a different cylinder on your back.
The increased oxygen content introduces different limits that need to be understood and respected. That's why the course teaches you how to analyse your own gas, determine its maximum operating depth and configure your dive computer correctly.
It's a relatively short course that can make a big difference to the way you plan your future diving.
Questions You May Have
WHAT IS ENRICHED AIR NITROX?
Enriched Air Nitrox – often shortened to EANx or Nitrox – is breathing gas containing a higher percentage of oxygen and therefore a lower percentage of nitrogen than normal air.
Recreational enriched-air diving commonly uses mixes such as EAN32 and EAN36, although other mixes may also be used within the limits of your training.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NITROX?
The main benefit is the potential for longer no-decompression limits compared with making the same dive on air.
This can be particularly useful for repetitive diving where you're completing several dives over the course of a day or several days.
DOES NITROX LET ME DIVE DEEPER?
No – quite the opposite.
The higher oxygen content means every enriched-air mixture has a maximum operating depth (MOD) that must not be exceeded.
Learning how to determine and respect that depth is an important part of the course.
Nitrox is generally about giving you more no-decompression time at suitable depths, not allowing you to go deeper.
WILL NITROX MAKE MY AIR LAST LONGER?
No.
The amount of gas you breathe from your cylinder is still determined primarily by factors such as depth, breathing rate, workload and cylinder size.
Nitrox can increase your no-decompression limit, but it doesn't physically make the gas in your cylinder last longer.
DO I HAVE TO MAKE ANY DIVES?
No. Open-water dives are not required to earn the PADI Enriched Air Diver certification.
The course consists of knowledge development and practical application exercises.
PADI does provide the option of completing enriched-air training dives, but these are optional.
WHAT WILL I DO DURING THE PRACTICAL SESSION?
You'll learn how to analyse an enriched-air cylinder using an oxygen analyser, confirm and record the oxygen percentage and establish the maximum operating depth for the gas you're planning to use.
You'll also practise correctly setting a dive computer for Nitrox.
These are practical procedures you'll use whenever you're diving with enriched air.
WHY DO I NEED TO ANALYSE MY OWN CYLINDER?
As the diver using the cylinder, you need to know what gas you're actually going to breathe.
The oxygen percentage determines important information including the cylinder's maximum operating depth and the settings you'll enter into your dive computer.
Learning to personally verify the contents of your cylinder is therefore an essential part of becoming an Enriched Air Diver.
WHAT IS MAXIMUM OPERATING DEPTH?
The Maximum Operating Depth (MOD) is the maximum depth at which a particular enriched-air mixture can be used while remaining within the oxygen exposure limits selected for the dive.
Because different Nitrox mixes contain different percentages of oxygen, their MODs are different.
You'll learn how to determine and use this information during your course.
DO I NEED A NITROX-COMPATIBLE DIVE COMPUTER?
To get the most from diving with enriched air, you'll want a dive computer capable of being configured for the gas mixture you're using.
During your training, you'll learn how to enter the oxygen percentage and understand the information your computer provides when planning and making Nitrox dives.
HOW OLD DO I NEED TO BE?
The minimum age for the PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty is 12 years old.
DO I NEED TO BE OPEN WATER CERTIFIED?
You need to be a PADI (Junior) Open Water Diver or hold a qualifying certification to earn the Enriched Air Diver rating.
PADI also allows Enriched Air Diver training to be integrated with the Open Water Diver course. In that case, you must successfully complete your Open Water Diver certification before the Enriched Air Diver rating can be issued.
CAN I COMPLETE NITROX ALONGSIDE ANOTHER COURSE?
Yes.
Enriched Air Diver works particularly well alongside other training and is a popular addition to Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver and other continuing-education courses.
Speak to us if you'd like to combine your training.
WHAT CAN I DO AFTER THE COURSE?
Once certified, you'll be able to plan and make recreational enriched-air dives within the limits of your training and the gas you're using.
It's particularly useful as you progress into diving involving multiple dives, deeper recreational diving and dive holidays or liveaboards.
You can continue developing your skills through courses such as Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver and other PADI Specialties.
ENRICHED AIR DIVER HIGHLIGHTS
Want to get more from your dives?
Enriched Air Diver is a relatively quick specialty that gives you knowledge and practical skills you'll use throughout your diving life.
Whether you're planning a liveaboard, a diving holiday or simply want to expand your capabilities as a diver, we'll show you how to use Nitrox correctly and confidently.