What is it? In recreational diving, Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) is any nitrogen/oxygen mix with extra oxygen added.
The Big Difference: * Standard Air: Contains roughly 21% Oxygen and 79% Nitrogen.
- Nitrox: Has a higher oxygen proportion, typically 32% or 36%.
Decoding the Names: You’ll often hear terms like “Nitrox 32” or “EANx36.”
- EA stands for Enriched Air.
- Nx stands for Nitrox.
- The Number represents the oxygen percentage.
- Example: EAN36 means the mix is 36% Oxygen and 64% Nitrogen.
How is it Different Diving with Nitrox vs. Air
The secret is “Less Nitrogen.” By breathing less nitrogen, we can extend our bottom time without increasing the risk of DCS or needing mandatory deco stops.
Let’s look at a real example in meters: Imagine you are doing a deep dive to 30 meters:
On Air (21%): Your No-Decompression Limit (NDL) is approximately 20 minutes.
On EANx32: Because your body absorbs less nitrogen, your NDL extends to 30 minutes at the same depth. (That’s 10 extra minutes of bottom time!)
How do we calculate it? (Equivalent Air Depth – EAD): If you dive with EANx36 at a depth of 21 meters, your body absorbs nitrogen as if you were only at 15 meters on air. This is your EAD.
The Result: Your no-stop time can double from 40 minutes on air to 80 minutes on Nitrox
master the Math Behind the Dive! Nitrox calculations can be tricky, but I’ve made it easy for you. I’ve recorded a dedicated whiteboard tutorial breaking down the formulas, including EAD and Oxygen Limits, step-by-step. with Diving Mentor Youtube
