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PADI · Speciality

Nitrox Certification: Longer Bottom Times, Explained Properly

Enriched air is the most popular speciality in diving because it is cheap, takes a day, and directly buys you more time underwater on repetitive dives — exactly what you want on a liveaboard or a two-tank boat morning.

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Quick facts

Minimum age
12 years
Depth limit
Depends on mix and MOD
Typical duration
1 day, no dives required at many centres
Prerequisites
Open Water Diver

What the certification covers

  • Oxygen content analysis and cylinder labelling
  • Maximum operating depth and oxygen exposure limits
  • Setting a dive computer for the correct mix
  • Planning repetitive dives on EANx32 and EANx36

What nitrox does and does not do

More oxygen means less nitrogen, so your no-decompression limit at typical recreational depths is longer. It does not let you go deeper — the opposite, because oxygen toxicity sets a shallower maximum operating depth.

Many divers also report feeling less tired after a day of multiple dives, though the evidence for that is mixed. The bottom-time gain is the real, measurable benefit.

  • Typical cost: 150–250 EUR/USD, often bundled with Advanced Open Water
  • EANx32 gives roughly 45 minutes NDL at 24 m versus 29 on air
  • MOD for EANx32 at 1.4 ata is about 33 metres
  • Always analyse your own cylinder and sign the log, even if the shop already did

Find dive buddies at your level

List your certifications, home city and the sites you dive on a free SportConnect profile. Local divers, clubs and dive centres can find you, and you can message anyone planning a trip that matches your level.

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Frequently asked questions

Is nitrox worth it for holiday diving?

Yes if you dive two or three times a day. On single shallow dives the benefit is small.

Do I need dives to certify?

Many centres certify from theory plus gas analysis alone; two optional dives can be added.

Can I dive deeper on nitrox?

No. Oxygen toxicity limits make the maximum operating depth shallower than on air.

Where to go next

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