News
Oyster Diving’s PADI Specialty Of The Month: Enriched Air (Nitrox)
There are a several specialties that I believe are almost essential in an experienced diver’s locker; deep diver which qualifies you to dive down to 40m, dry suit if you live in colder climes, and Nitrox.
Enriched Air, more commonly referred to as Nitrox, is where the scuba tank on your bank carries a higher percentage of Oxygen then regular air. For recreational divers this can be between 22-40% O2, however many dive centres offer a standard blend of either 32% or 36% Oxygen.
The reason why we increase the percentage of O2 in the cylinder is that it reduces the amount of Nitrogen, and if you recall from your open water course, too much Nitrogen is a bad thing for divers and can lead to decompression sickness i.e. nitrogen bubbles form in your body that can restrict the flow of oxygen to your brain and other vital organs. This is more commonly referred to as ‘the bends’ and if untreated can be a life-threatening condition.
So by diving on Nitrox it means that we can spend longer underwater as we are absorbing less Nitrogen. For example, under the PADI dive tables you can spend 20 minutes at 30m if diving on normal air which has approximately 21% oxygen. If you were to do the same dive with an oxygen content of 32% then you could spend 30 minutes underwater i.e. 50% longer. If you’ve just paid £100’s or even £1000’s on your annual diving holiday then it makes sense to spend as much time as possible underwater.
There are some potential risks if you are not properly trained. As we descend, the partial pressure of Oxygen increases. At 10m there is the equivalent of 2 atmospheres of pressure; this means that if you had a blend of 32% oxygen then it would be the equivalent to breathing air with a 64% O2 content, or a partial pressure of 0.64.
If the concentration of Oxygen in your system is too high it can lead to convulsions, which in turn can lead to drowning. So as part of the Nitrox course you’ll learn that you don’t exceed a partial pressure of 1.4 O2 content, or 1.6 in an emergency. Likewise if your exposure to oxygen is over a certain amount of time then a similar fate could await you, so you’ll learn about equivalent air depths and exposure.
The PADI Enriched Air course teaches you how to calculate your bottom time, exposure time limit to oxygen, how to analyse the oxygen contents of your cylinder and how to calculate your maximum operating depth. Dive computers make life even easier as all you need to do is analyse your tank and set the % of O2 in the settings. Your computer will then automatically calculate your maximum depths and your no decompression limits.
If you speak to people who dive regularly then you’ll often hear them say how Nitrox makes you feel a lot less tired at the end of each day and a feeling that it is generally better for you than constantly loading your system with Nitrogen.
Many dive centres around the world offer free Nitrox to their customers so it doesn’t have to break the bank either.
The Nitrox course is simple to complete and you don’t even need to get wet to get qualified!
Oyster Diving are offering 10% off the Nitrox course if you book before the end of June. To book simply click here and enter the code ‘specsaver’ to receive your 10% discount.
Discuss this article in the Scubaverse Forum.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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