You have many reasons to get certified in Nitrox diving. Nitrox diving gives you the opportunity to feel the thrill of enriched water. It can also help you feel more confident as a diver. Certification courses are offered by several organizations. These courses include the NAUI Enriched Airnitrox Diver (PADI Enriched Air Diver), SSI Adventure Diver (Open Water Diver), and PADI Enriched Air Diver (PADI Enriched Air Diver).
PADI Enriched Air Diver
PADI Enriched Air Divers is for divers who desire to extend their dive time. The course includes home study and a short classroom lesson. The EANx course teaches about oxygen content and how to use a scuba Oxygen Analyzer. Also, it demonstrates standard procedures for recording oxygen levels in tanks.
The time that divers can stay underwater for is extended when they are Nitrox-enriched. This is because the air mix contains less nitrogen. It has a higher safety margin. In addition, enriched air mixes usually have 32% or 36% oxygen, making them ideal for shallower dives.
NAUI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
If you're looking to elevate your diving skills, getting certified as an enriched water diver is a good start. This course teaches you the fundamentals of blending air, the risks associated with high oxygen concentrations, and how to handle the equipment. Furthermore, you'll be able to use a divecomputer and analyze the contents. The Equivalent Air Depthance will be explained, as well as how to use a standard diving table. Common blending techniques for nitrogen and oxygen will also be covered.
Nitrox, also known to some as enhanced air, is a form of breathing gas which contains more oxygen that standard air. The higher oxygen content will allow you to stay underwater longer, without the need for refilling your tank. This is beneficial for your health because it relieves decompression fatigue. Also, enriched water divers have shorter surfaces intervals.
SSI Adventure Diver
SSI is a well-respected diving organization. The SSI Adventure Diver Nitrox Certification, one of the highest ratings, is one of their most advanced ratings. This certification requires experience, knowledge, as well as skills. You must have at least 50 dives, and four specialty courses to be eligible for this award.
The SSI Adventure Diver nitrox course teaches students how to dive in low visibility. It teaches divers to navigate at night, to use specialized equipment, as well as how communicate with a buddy. After completing the course, divers will be awarded the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver rating and are eligible to receive the SSI Nitrox Specialty certificate.
SSI Open Water Diver
The SSI Open Water Diver certification is internationally recognized. It includes three parts: academic, in-water pool training and multiple open-water diving. This course teaches you how plan and dive with oxygen-enriched air mixes, up to 40%. This can improve your bottom time and decrease your surface intervals. Additionally, it may prevent you from getting decompression sickness.
PADI and SSI differ in how they handle certifications. PADI certifications require you to purchase your manual. However, with an SSI certification, you receive your card from the dive center where you completed your course. PADI certification centers may also offer temporary cards that you can use as proof of your certification.