ScubaLouie

[TommyP]

Kristi and i are really looking at learning Nitrox. I just wanted to see what others think of it, benefits, pros, cons,  etc. 

Thanks for the input.

Tommy

[Blotto]

although I never did go take the class (not yet anyway), check out this thread...

hope that helps a little.

[SemperFido]

I have recently taken the class and it seems to me that for the most part Nitrox is most valuabe either as a way to shorten surface intervals or to add an extra measure of safety against DCS.  (assuming you use standard air tables while diving Nitrox).  i beleive it is a useful tool but not an answer to all situation.  Its just another tool in your kit bag to help and the class is very informative.  I would reccommend it just to broaden your horizons and knowledge.

[Bob]

although I never did go take the class (not yet anyway), check out this thread...

hope that helps a little.

Like I stated in this thread, I think Nitrox is well worth the expense. Even if you don't want to go through the hassle and expense of owning your own tanks, you can rent nitrox tanks at most shops and charters for a few bucks more than air. I believe it's worth it when you consider the added cushion against a possible DCS hit and the extended bottom times allowed, especially on repetative dives, when compared to air. Also, the class helps improve your knowledge of dive physiology.

[Cobia40]

Not only is it good for long bottom time and shorter surface intervals, it is also great for repetitive diving. We took a trip to the Dry Tortuga's in June and everyone on the boat was diving with nitrox. One of the guys that came on the trip with us computer locked out on the fourth dive of the day. I noticed he had it in nitrox mode but forgot to change his O2 level from 21% to 32%, so he was locked out of his computer for 24 hours. Luckily I has another computer that he was able to use for the next day. We were diving six dives a day spearfishing anywhere from 40ft to 100ft on the reefs down there. So he then realized how valuable diving with nitrox was. If he had been diving on air he would have been done for the day but since he was diving nitrox he was ready to go for dives  5 and 6. Just don't think that because you are diving Nitrox that you can dive long. A 80cu ft tank of air is the same as and 80cu ft tank of nitrox, so if you are an airhog on regular air you are going to be an airhog on Nitrox as well. A lot of people think that because they are on nitrox there airhog breathing is going to drop. Unlikely. You just won't feel as tired at the end of the day as you would on air because your body isn't going to have to work so hard getting rid of the nitrogen in your system. The more oxygen in your system the less nitrogen you have to burn off.