What Is Nitrox? Benefits of Diving with Enriched Air
If you’ve spent time around dive boats, liveaboards, or dive resorts, you’ve probably heard divers ask, “Is Nitrox available?” or “Did you analyze your tank?”
For many experienced divers, Nitrox has become the gas of choice—especially on dive vacations where multiple dives per day are the norm. But what exactly is Nitrox, and is it worth getting certified?
Here’s what every diver should know.
What Is Nitrox?
Nitrox, also known as Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx), is a breathing gas that contains more oxygen and less nitrogen than regular compressed air.
Regular air contains approximately:
- 21% oxygen
- 79% nitrogen
The most common Nitrox blends are:
- EAN32 (32% oxygen)
- EAN36 (36% oxygen)
Because Nitrox contains less nitrogen, divers absorb less nitrogen during a dive
Why Do Divers Use Nitrox?
The biggest reason divers choose Nitrox is simple: less nitrogen absorption.
This can provide several benefits, especially during dive vacations with multiple dives per day.
Longer No-Decompression Limits
Because your body absorbs less nitrogen, Nitrox can often provide longer no-decompression limits compared to diving air.
That doesn’t mean every dive will suddenly be much longer, but it can provide more flexibility and additional bottom time on repetitive dives. For underwater photographers and marine life enthusiasts, every extra minute underwater can make a difference.
Reduced Nitrogen Loading
Many divers choose Nitrox even when they don’t plan to extend their dives.
By staying within the limits they would normally have while diving air, they simply expose themselves to less nitrogen throughout the course of a dive trip.
Some divers report feeling less fatigued after several days of diving, although scientific studies have produced mixed results. Regardless, lower nitrogen loading is one reason Nitrox has become so popular among traveling divers.
Ideal for Dive Vacations and Liveaboards
Nitrox really shines on trips where divers are making three, four, or even five dives a day.
Whether you’re spending a week aboard a liveaboard in Indonesia, diving the reefs of Fiji, or exploring the incredible biodiversity of the Philippines, Nitrox can help maximize your time underwater while adding flexibility to repetitive diving schedules.
Is Nitrox Safer?
Nitrox is not automatically “safer” than air, but when used properly, many divers appreciate the additional conservatism that comes from absorbing less nitrogen.
However, Nitrox does require additional training and awareness.
Because higher oxygen concentrations have depth limitations, divers must always:
- Analyze their tank before diving.
- Confirm the oxygen percentage.
- Set their dive computer correctly.
- Stay within the maximum operating depth for that gas mixture.
When used correctly, Nitrox is an extremely common and widely accepted tool in recreational diving.
Do You Need Special Training?
Yes.
Before diving Nitrox, you’ll need an Enriched Air Nitrox certification from agencies such as PADI, SSI, SDI, NAUI, and others.
Fortunately, it’s one of the easiest and most useful specialty certifications available.
Most Nitrox courses:
- Can be completed online.
- Require little time (roughly 10 hours)
- Have no mandatory training dives!
- Teach you how to analyze tanks and safely plan Nitrox dives.
It’s also a certification you’ll likely use for the rest of your diving career.
Why We Recommend Nitrox at Global Adventures for Scuba Divers
At Global Adventures for Scuba Divers, Nitrox is one of the first specialty certifications we recommend.
After leading dive trips around the world, we’ve seen firsthand why so many experienced divers choose it.
Many of our destinations involve multiple dives each day. Whether we’re diving Socorro, exploring the Philippines, or spending a week aboard a liveaboard in Indonesia, every minute underwater counts.
While Nitrox won’t double your bottom time, it can provide additional flexibility and lower nitrogen exposure throughout a week of diving.
In fact, many of our repeat travelers and experienced guests choose Nitrox whenever it’s available.
That’s why we encourage divers joining our liveaboards and dive-intensive adventures to earn their Nitrox certification before traveling. It’s easy to complete, useful on nearly every dive vacation, and one of the best investments a diver can make.
Get Nitrox Certified with GAS Divers
Thinking about earning your Enriched Air Nitrox certification?
GAS Divers co-founder and trip leader Corey Mireau, a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT), can help make it happen.
If you’re joining one of our group trips, simply let us know you’re interested. Corey can work with you to complete your Nitrox training so you’ll be ready to take advantage of the benefits on future dive adventures.
It’s one of the easiest certifications to earn—and one you’ll likely use on nearly every dive vacation for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Nitrox won’t turn a 40-minute dive into a two-hour dive, but it can provide longer no-decompression limits, lower nitrogen loading, and additional flexibility during repetitive diving.
Whether you’re heading to Fiji, the Philippines, Indonesia, or your first liveaboard, Nitrox is a certification you’ll likely use again and again.
At Global Adventures for Scuba Divers, we’ve found that divers who invest in Nitrox often get even more enjoyment out of their dive vacations—and that’s something we’re always happy to recommend.