There are many reasons to take Nitrox certification courses. Nitrox diving allows you to experience the thrill of enriched air. You will also feel more confident diving. Many organizations offer certification courses. There are several certification courses available: NAUI Enriched Airnitrox Divers, PADI Enriched Air Divers and SSI Adventure Divers.
PADI Enriched Air Diver
PADI Enriched Air Diver Certification (EANx), is for those divers who wish to increase the bottom time of their dives. This course includes both a classroom session and home study. The EANx course includes learning about oxygen content in the scuba tank, how to use a scuba oxygen analyzer, and standard procedures for recording the percentage of oxygen in the tank.
The time that divers can stay underwater for is extended when they are Nitrox-enriched. The air mix has a lower amount of nitrogen, which gives them a greater safety margin. Additionally, enriched air mixtures usually contain 32% to 36% oxygen which makes them suitable for diving at shallow depths.
NAUI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
A enriched air diver certificate is a great step to start your dives. This course teaches the basics of mixing air, the risks associated high oxygen concentrations, and how you can handle the equipment. Furthermore, you'll be able to use a divecomputer and analyze the contents. You'll also learn the Equivalent Air Depthance and how to use a standard dive table. The common blending of nitrogen and oxygen is also 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 allows you to stay underwater longer without the need to recharge your tank. It reduces the effects of decompression fatigue and is beneficial to your health. Additionally, enriched air divers have shorter surface 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. The certification requires a combination of experience, knowledge, and skills. This award requires that you have completed at most 50 dives and four special courses.
The SSI Adventure Diver nitrox program is designed to teach students the knowledge and skills required to dive in restricted visibility. This course teaches divers how to navigate in darkness, use specialized equipment and communicate with their buddy. After completing this course, they will be eligible to apply for the SSI Nitrox Specialty certification.
SSI Open Water Diver
Internationally recognized, the SSI Open Water Diver program includes three components: academic learning, in water pool training, and multiple open water dives. This course teaches you how to plan and dive with enriched air mixtures up to 40% oxygen. This can increase your bottom speed and decrease your surface time. It also helps you avoid decompression syndrome.
PADI and SSI diver centers have different ways of handling certifications. PADI certifications include the requirement to purchase a manual. An SSI certification does not require you to purchase your manual. Your card is issued directly from the dive centre where you completed your course. PADI certification centers might also provide temporary cards that can be used as proof of certification.