Nitrox - What is this strange gas? Guess what? You are breathing Nitrox
while you read this. Yes, air is a type of Nitrox. Nitrox is nothing more than
any combination of oxygen and nitrogen. Some people believe that it is a gas
mixture used for very deep diving. Further, others believe that you must take a
complex and extensive course to use Nitrox. Others think that is cost
prohibitive. All of the above are misconceptions about Nitrox.. The worst
misconception is that Nitrox is not safe for recreational divers. The majority
of Nitrox dives are made within the 130 ' depth limit for recreational divers
The popularity of diving with Nitrox today is a result of an enviable safety
record of thousands of recreational divers using Nitrox since 1985. Enriched
Air Nitrox ( EAN ) is the IDEAL breathing gas for the recreational depths of 40
to 130 feet.
Florida Down Under is proud to offer the diving community complete Nitrox
service. We were the first dive operation in Sarasota, FL, to offer nitrox.
Entry level ( PADI Specialty ) Nitrox classes are taught with the PADI
system, whereas Advanced Nitrox classes are taught with the TDI ( Technical
Diving International )system.
PADI Nitrox Course
This course is designed to qualify recreational divers to use enriched
air ( Nitrox ) for no stop recreational diving. The program addresses the use of
enriched air with 22 to 40% oxygen, with emphasis on enriched air with 32 and
36% oxygen.
Course prerequisites:
- Be certified as a PADI
Advanced Open Water Diver, Advanced Plus or equivalent ( for this program,
equivalency is proof of certification beyond entry level with experience
in night diving, deep diving and navigation ), or as a PADI Open Water
Diver ( or equivalent ) with proof of at least 10 dives logged beyond
training dives for certification.
- Be 15 years of age or
older.
There will be a PADI standard written exam.
There will be two Nitrox open water dives.
The cost of the class is $79.99 and includes certification fee to PADI
The following items are required:
- PADI Enriched Air Textbook
and Three enriched air dive tables $65.99
- One two tank enriched air
dive charter $65.00
- Two enriched air tanks (
no charge during the course )
- Two, color passport
photographs $10.00
The PADI Nitrox Course can be taught whenever a student needs the class.
PADI Nitrox Referral: complete your Nitrox Specialty by doing the open
water dives with FDU. $100 plus rental of 2 Nitrox tanks.
PADI Nitrox Instructor
Training Course:
Florida Down Under was one of the first PADI Dive Centers offering the
PADI Nitrox program.
Prerequisites:
- PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
or higher
The following items are required:
- PADI Enriched Air
Textbook and three enriched air dive tables $65.99
- PADI Enriched Air Diving
video
- Two, color passport
photographs $10.00
The class will be held on two days and includes all classroom instruction
and one, two tank charter including the Nitrox tanks.
The class cost is $300.00. Certification fees to PADI are additional.
TDI Nitrox Instruction
FDU offers TDI (Technical
Diving International ) sanctioned Nitrox training in the following
areas:
Advanced Nitrox Diver - $299.00 plus book ($19.99), and 2 charters
($100.00)- includes Nitrox tanks and fills ($50.00 value)
Blender/Tech - $299.00 plus book ($19.99) No diving required.
Nitrox Fills:
Single fill to 50% Nitrox blend - $8.00
Fill card for 20 Nitrox fills - $140.00
Nitrox Service:
Oxygen clean SCUBA tank - $50.00 plus parts
Oxygen clean regulator - $59.00 plus parts
Analyze tank contents - $5.00
Annual VCI for oxygen tanks - $15.00 plus parts ( Viton® tank neck and
valve opening o - rings extra )