What exactly is a Nitrox Diver?

Question

What exactly is a Nitrox Diver?

Answer 1

A Nitrox diver is a SCUBA diver who uses Nitrox.

Nitrox refers to any gas mixture composed (excluding trace gases) of nitrogen and oxygen; this includes normal air which is approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, with around 1% inert gases, primarily argon. However, in SCUBA diving, nitrox is normally differentiated and handled differently from air. The most common use of nitrox mixtures containing higher than normal levels of oxygen is in SCUBA, where the reduced percentage of nitrogen is advantageous in reducing nitrogen take up in the body's tissues and so extending the possible dive time, and/or reducing the risk of decompression sickness (also known as the bends

Answer 2

See:  http://www.techdiver.ws/nitrox_eng.shtml for more information.  Nitrox is a gas mix that allows Scuba Divers to extend their bottom times and/or to reduce the time interval between dives.  It is also used by commercial divers to reduce decompression times.  Since Nitrogen remains part of the air mix it does not eliminate the possibility of decompression sickness (the bends).

Answer 3

The other posters gave great explanations to answer "what is nitrox?"

As a Nitrox Diver, you'll learn the following:

--Why a regular tank shouldn't be filled with nitrox.

--Special gear requirements.

--How to check to find out the exact nitrox level.

--How to adjust your maximum depth based on the exact nitrox level.

--How to track oxygen units/exposure.

--What is oxygen toxicity.

--Mixing techniques to get the correct percentage.