5 Reasons to become a PADI Enriched Air Diver

The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is one of the most popular diving specialties. Doing it, the scuba diver learns to dive with Nitrox, also known as enriched air (EANx). Let’s see what makes this course so interesting and what advantages

What Is Enriched Air Or Nitrox

Enriched air is a different mixture of gases than we find in atmospheric mix air tanks (the one we usually use in recreational diving). There is a difference in the quantity of oxygen and nitrogen. In usual air cylinders, the mixture carries 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen, while; in tanks filled with enriched air, the percentage of oxygen is higher. The most popular EANx mixes are: EAN32 or Nitrox I: 32% oxygen and 68% nitrogen. This is the mix that you can find in Dressel Divers and enjoy for free. EAN36 or Nitrox II: 36% oxygen and 64% nitrogen. EAN40: 40% oxygen and 60% nitrogen.

Recreational PADI Enriched Air Diver

As we know, the nitrogen we breathe from diving tanks is subject to a partial pressure, which varies depending on the depth. The higher the partial pressure the more nitrogen is absorbed by our body. The same happens if we lengthen the dive.

In recreational scuba diving, we have to respect the limits that allow us to ascend without decompression, also when diving with Nitrox. So, the increased nitrogen absorbed by our bodies is eliminated safely while we ascend. For that reason, we do not need to stop.

The difference between diving with Nitrox or not is the time you can stay below the surface without reaching the decompression limits. When diving with Nitrox, you are using an air that contains less nitrogen. Therefore, our body absorbs less of this element, and we can lengthen the time we stay underwater in shallow dives.

Thus, diving with Nitrox32 at 18 meters / 59 feet means that you can stay underwater 95 minutes without having to make a decompression stop, while with the usually compressed air, the dive could not exceed 56 minutes.

Advantage Of Becoming A PADI Enriched Air Diver

From what we have just said, we can derive the first advantage.

1. Our body is less exposed to the effects of nitrogen. In other words, since any enriched air mixture has less nitrogen than the usual air mixture, we absorb fewer molecules of this element while diving. How can we take advantage of this fact? In three ways.
2. Longer dives.
3. Safer dives.
4. More dives in one day.We will have longer dives when we choose to extend the dive until we reach the limits imposed by the safety stops. However, if you continue diving under common air limits, your Nitrox dives will be safer. In this case, because your body will absorb less amounts of nitrogen.

Another aspect to consider becoming a PADI Enriched Air Diver and diving under common air limits is that you will be able to make shorter surface intervals. Therefore, you will be able increase the number of dives you do in one day.

5. To these advantages, we must add one more. You can enjoy diving with Nitrox completely free if you choose the centers of Dressel Divers.

Of course, to be able to dive with Nitrox you must take a course to become an Enriched Air Diver. Most diving agencies offer this type of training, we will tell you about the PADI course.

What Are You Going To Learn In Your PADI Enriched Air Diver Course?

In the PADI  Enriched Air Diver course, you will learn everything you need to know to plan a dive with this type of mixture: exposure to oxygen, the types of mixtures, and how to identify them according to their labeling, safety, equipment, use of the air analyzer, etc.

Besides, you will know how to use the tables and the diving computer under the conditions established by enriched air. After taking the course, you will know how to calculate the partial pressures of oxygen at each depth, taking into account the type of mixture you have chosen so that you can avoid oxygen toxicity.

Who Can Take PADI Enriched Air Diver Course?

 Diving with Nitrox has advantages and disadvantages, to minimize the latter you have to take your PADI Enriched Air Diver or an equivalent course (SSI, ACUC, CMAS).

To do this, you must:
-Be certified as an Open Water Diver.
-Be 12 years old or older.

In summary, when you are a PADI Enriched Air Diver, you can lengthen the duration of your dives, reduce the nitrogen saturation of your body, shorten the surface intervals and make more dives in a single day. How much longer are you going to miss out on all these advantages? Come on, contact us!