What is Nitrox?

	Nitrox is any mix of Nitrogen and Air.
	Normoxic Nitrox is normal air. (21% Oxygen and 79% Nitrogen)
	Hyperoxic Nitrox is a mix with more than 21% Oxygen

– Hyperoxic mixes are known as Enriched Air or Enriched Air Nitrox

What is Nitrox?

EANx X is the % of Oxygen

Safe Air (Refers to a mix between 22% and 50%)

SAA has four basic mixes

EAN 28 This is 28% Oxygen

EAN 32 This is 32% Oxygen

EAN 36 This is 36% Oxygen

EAN 40 This is 40% Oxygen

Elementary Nitrox

• How long has it been around ?

–: Some experiments done in the 1870’s
–: 1910/1912 various tests done using Nitrox while riding a bike
–: Lots of work done during the war (lots of progress)
–: Started to be used as a sports gas in the 1970’s

Elementary Nitrox

How do you name a mix ?

– Oxygen content always named first

EAN32 is 32% Oxygen and therefore 68% Nitrogen.

EAN40 would be 40% Oxygen and 60% Nitrogen.

Note both figures must add up to 100%.

Elementary Nitrox

• Air is a Nitrox Mix.

–: Air is 21% O2 and 79% Nitrogen.
–: All mixes for the Nitrox diver are just air enriched with Oxygen

Elementary Nitrox

• Why Use Nitrox?

–: Nitrox is safer than air if used correctly.
–: Nitrox reduces the chances of illnesses which are associated with diving.
–: Nitrox increases the time that can be safely spent underwater.

Elementary Nitrox

• Each mix has a Maximum Operating Depth (MOD)

–: 28% 40 Metres MOD
–: 32% 33 Metres MOD
–: 36% 28 Metres MOD
–: 40% 25 Metres MOD

Elementary Nitrox

	Equipment Differences
	You must only use Oxygen in Service cylinders

– Oxygen Clean plus Oxygen Compatible makes equipment in Oxygen Service.

	Oxygen Compatible means suitable for use with pure oxygen.
	Oxygen Clean refers to equipment which has been cleaned for use with pure oxygen.

Elementary Nitrox

• Current Cylinder markings for Europe are Black, but tend to be any colour with a “Nitrox Sticker” in black.

Elementary Nitrox

	All mixes “MUST” be tested prior to use.
	Mixes are tested using a Gas Analyser
	Calibrate the Analyser and connect to the cylinder to be tested.
	Turn on valve and allow a gentle flow of the gas to pass the analyser for about 15 seconds. Log the percentage reading

SUMMARY

More Oxygen than Air for Nitrox used in Diving

Less Nitrogen, so safer for shallow dives

Tried and tested over a long period

Naming mixes by the percentage of Oxygen

Shallow diving gas

To Dive without an Instructor using Nitrox you must take a Nitrox Diver course, ask your DO for details

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Please send email to webmaster@rotherdivingclub.co.uk with questions or comments or links to and from this web site.
Copyright � 2006 Rother Diving Club

	More Oxygen than Air for Nitrox used in Diving
	Less Nitrogen, so safer for shallow dives
	Tried and tested over a long period
	Naming mixes by the percentage of Oxygen
	Shallow diving gas
	To Dive without an Instructor using Nitrox you must take a Nitrox Diver course, ask your DO for details

What is Nitrox?

What is Nitrox?

SUMMARY

Please send email to webmaster@rotherdivingclub.co.uk with questions or comments or links to and from this web site. Copyright � 2006 Rother Diving Club

Please send email to webmaster@rotherdivingclub.co.uk with questions or comments or links to and from this web site.
Copyright � 2006 Rother Diving Club