To top of page What is nitrox?
Nitrox is commonly used as a synonym for enriched air. Enriched air is air that has had some oxygen added. Nitrox refers to any nitrogen-oxygen gas mix, including blends that have less oxygen than air has. Recreational scuba divers usually breathe normal air, which consists primarily of two gases: nitrogen (79%) and oxygen (21%). Enriched air is air that has been “enriched” with oxygen. Therefore, enriched air always contains more than 21% of oxygen, most commonly between 22% and 40%. This higher percentage of oxygen allows you to make longer dives than when breathing normal air. However, because of the higher percentage of oxygen, enriched air has a higher potential for oxygen toxicity than normal air. Therefore, when diving with enriched air, adherence to depth limits is extremely important. When diving with an enriched air mix with a high oxygen percentage you cannot dive as deep as with a mix with a lower oxygen percentage.
