Can you use Nitrox for technical dives, including deep dives?

Using Nitrox for technical dives, including deep dives, is indeed feasible, but it necessitates careful planning and analysis. Nitrox, which is a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, is typically used to reduce the percentage of nitrogen in breathing gas to minimize nitrogen absorption during dives. This can be particularly beneficial for technical divers operating at greater depths, as it helps mitigate the risk of decompression sickness associated with nitrogen-loading in the body.

For deep dives, it is crucial to analyze the oxygen content in the gas mixture since higher levels of oxygen increase the risk of oxygen toxicity. Therefore, divers must calculate their maximum operating depth based on the percentage of oxygen in their Nitrox mixture and adhere to specific depth limits that are safe for their gas blend. Proper planning involves understanding the dive profile, managing bottom time, dive depths, and decompression stops appropriately.

Furthermore, divers need to have the right tools and knowledge for gas analysis, dive planning, and execution. While Nitrox is commonly used in recreational diving, its application in technical diving expands the dive's safety margins, contingent upon judicious preparation.