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Knowledge Review Diver

The primary benefit of using enriched air nitrox is that it exposes you to less
nitrogen than diving with air. Advantages include:

longer allowable bottom time


reduced need to push near the air no decompression limits
reduces overall nitrogen load on multiple dives
EANx does not see to affect narcosis while diving, compared with air.

The Primary concern regarding enriched air nitrox and equipment is the high oxygen
content.

You may use equipment, other than cylinders, with enriched air up to 40% oxygen,
without modification.

The potential hazard of improper enriched air filling procedures is fire or


explosion, and incorrect percentage of oxygen in the blend.

Broadly accepted enriched air nitrox cylinder markers include:

yellow and green band around the tank shoulder, reading "Enriched Air", "Enriched
Air Nitrox", or "Nitrox"
dated visual inspection sticker
contents sticker or tag
Commom nitrox cylinder markings are not used everywhere. In Europe, EANx cylinders
have a white shoulder with a black stripe.

The oxygen partial pressure for the maximum and contingency depth limits are 1.4
ata/bar and 1.6 ata/bar respectively.

The primary hazard of exceeding oxygen partial pressure limits is fatal accident
due to convulsing and drowning due to CNS toxicity. Avoid by maintaing good
buoyancy control, navigating properly, and paying attention to other factors, such
as currents, that may affect your maximum depth.

Signs and symptoms that may precede a CNS convulsions include:

visual disturbances, including tunnel vision


ears ringing
nausea
twitching and muscle spasms, especially in the face
irritability, restlessness, euphoria, or anxiety
dizziness
Signs and symptoms do not always precede a convulsion.

To use an EANx compatible dive computer to remain within accepted oxygen exposure
limits:

set your maximum oxygen partial pressure to 1.4


set your specific dive blend
activate scroll mode that show your no stop limits
If you accidentally exceed the oxygen limit of you computer, ascend immediately but
slowly, make a safety stop and end the dive.

You must personally verify the oxygen analysis of an enriched air cylinder always.
Use an oxygen analyzer.

If you computer fails during a dive, immediately ascend, make a safety stop at 15
feet for 3 minutes or longer, and end the dive.
If a diver convulses underwater then hold their regulator in place so that it
doesn't fall out, but do not waste time putting it back if it has. Establish
buoyancy control, and wait until they have stopped convulsing. Immediately
resurface at a safe rate, establish buoyancy and check for breathing. Call for
assistance and begin rescue breaths if necessary. Get diver out of water as quickly
as possible.

If a diver is suspected of having decompression illness after an enriched air dive


then monitor their vitals and administer emergency oxygen. If none is available
then have them breath enriched air itself. Provide first aid if necessary. Call EMS
immediately.

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