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Nitrox refers to any gas mixture composed (excluding trace gases) of nitrogen and oxygen; this includes normal air which is approximately 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen (although around 1% is actually other gases). The most common use of nitrox mixtures containing higher than normal levels of oxygen is in SCUBA diving where the reduced percentage of nitrogen is advantageous in reducing nitrogen take up in the body's tissues and so extending the possible dive time and/or reducing the risk of decompression sickness (also known as the bends).

Purpose

Nitrox is mainly used in scuba diving to reduce the proportion of nitrogen in the breathing gas mixture. Reducing the proportion of nitrogen by increasing the proportion of oxygen reduces the risk of decompression sickness, allowing extended dive times without increasing the need for decompression stops. Nitrox is not a safer gas than compressed air in all respects: although its use reduces the risk of decompression sickness, it increases the risk of oxygen toxicity and fire, which are further discussed below.

It is commonly believed that breathing nitrox can reduce the effects of nitrogen narcosis, but this has not been fully studied. In fact, there is some suggestion that oxygen may also have some narcotic properties under pressure; thus one should not expect a reduction in narcotic effects due only to the use of nitrox. Find information on school partnerships and policies.