Nitrox

ENRICHED AIR NITROX (EANx) DIVING

Return to: Scuba Instruction and Certification

Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) is very popular today both here in the USA and in dive resorts around the world. It allows divers to stay down longer when compared to diving on air. It also allows a diver to flush out a nitrogen load from previous dives. Getting your permanent Nitrox certification at Deep-Six is convenient, practical, and inexpensive. It sure beats having to spend part of your vacation days to get the certification when you should be diving Nitrox from the getgo.

THE NEXT COURSE DATE IS April 3, 2008 (Thursday) FROM 0930 UNTIL 1630. Bring a lunch. It will be held in Boynton Beach, Florida.

To get directions -> Click HERE to Send E-mail to Deep-Six

To obtain certification as a PADI Enriched Air Diver, so that you are able to dive with EANx, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

You must be a certified scuba diver or doing your last 2 open-water dives using Enriched Air Nitrox.
You must download, read, sign, and bring the PADI Statement of Risks and Liability .
Prior to the class instruction you must acquire the following items (if you want them before the class starting date they will be mailed to you upon request):
1. The PADI Enriched Air Diving manual. Read that entirely before diving with EAN.
2. The PADI Enriched Air Diving DVD. Watch that entirely before diving with EAN.
3. The DSAT Table, the RDP, the Nitrox 32 RDP, and the Nitrox 36 RDP.
You must fulfill your course financial obligations. The current cost for the course is $100.
On the day of the class you will be completing:
1. Knowledge Development 1 and 2 classrooms.
2. Practical Applications 1 and 2
You must hand in the correct answers to Knowledge Review, Section One (page 56-58 from the manual)
You must hand in the correct answers to Knowledge Review, Section Two (page 95-96 from the manual)
You must successfully complete the Enriched Air Diver Final Examination.
You must purchase, fill out and send in the PADI Certification envelope to obtain your permanent EANx Diver certification card.
Optional: You may do 2 open-water dives using Nitrox. Proper logging of the dives is necessary. If you plan to do the 2 dives the charge will be $25 for each dive. All gear, including the EAN gas, is supplied. (Note: If you do the EAN dives from a commercial dive vessel the cost of the EAN tanks and the boat are your responsibility.) If you want to do the nitrox dives in conjunction with another course (such as the last 2 Open-Water certification dives, 2 Advanced dives, Rescue Diver, or Divemaster) the charge will be $10 each for the 2 nitrox tank fills. If you plan on doing the EAN open-water dives you must download, read, and sign the Medical Statement and PADI Liability forms at the end of this page.

The following PADI Liability form must be downloaded, read, and signed by students in the EAN course:

Download the PDF Class Liability Form

Download PDF for NITROX MOD TABLE

How does one figure the O2 and air requirements for partial-pressure blending?

100% - EANO2% = X
(X) (Tank Volume in cu ft) = N2Air
N2Air/0.79 = Aircuft
Tank volume - Aircuft = O2 (cu ft) needed to be added to tank air
O2 cu ft/tank vol X max psi of tank = O2 psi needed

Example: 1.00 - 0.36 = 0.64 (=X)

0.64 (80) = 51.2 (=N2Air)
51.2/0.79 = 64.81 (=Aircuft)
80 - 64.81 = 15.19 (=O2 cuft)
15.19/80 X 3000 = 570 psi of O2 needed

The following pictures represent EAN gas blending equipment. Their function will be discussed in class.

The above EAN tank decal is about 23" by 6" and it is affixed to scuba tanks to identify that the tank does not contain air!

The Cochran EMC-16 Dive Computer and Diving With Enriched Air Nitrox

Let's say you used a tank of EAN36 and ended the dive with 500 psi on the tank. Then you partially fill the tank with O2 compatible air and test the Nitrox content. It is EAN28. What is the EAD for 40'?

EAD=(1 - O2%)(D+33)/0.79 - 33 (Answer: 40' = 33.6')

What is the EAD for 100% O2 at 40'? (Answer: -33')

How does one figure the O2 PP for any depth? (D+33)/33 X %O2

Figure it for EAN40 at 50' (Answer: 1.01 - Look at it on the DSAT Table as well)

Download the PDF for the NOAA EAN36 Table, Page 1

Download the PDF for the NOAA EAN36 Table, Page 2

Download the PDF for the NOAA EAN32 Table, Page 1

Download the PDF for the NOAA EAN32 Table, Page 2

The following Medical Statement does not have to be completed unless you plan to do the optional open-water dives using EANx. Please print it out. Look over each of the medical items that are listed on the first page. If you put a "yes" on any of the lines, indicating you have that condition, you will have to have a physician sign the form on page 2 indicating you are medically fit to dive. Remember, you do not have to go to a physician unless you answer "Yes" to one or more of the questions.

Download the Medical Page 1 in PDF

Download the Medical Page 2 in PDF

The following 2-page document is the PADI Liability form. You DO NOT have to complete this form unless you plan to do the optional open-water dives using EANx. Fill in all blank lines, read it, and then signed it at the bottom. If you are under 18 years old, have your parent sign it at the bottom.