How does diving with Nitrox typically compare to diving with air in terms of decompression limits?

Diving with Nitrox typically allows for shorter mandatory surface intervals compared to diving with air due to the reduced percentage of nitrogen in Nitrox compared to regular air. When divers use a gas mixture with a higher percentage of oxygen, they experience lower nitrogen uptake during dives since Nitrox replaces some of the nitrogen with oxygen. This results in less nitrogen being absorbed by the body, which in turn can lead to a lower risk of decompression sickness and potentially shorter no-decompression limits.

The benefits of Nitrox can be particularly advantageous for dives at depths where nitrogen narcosis may become a concern, as divers can maximize their bottom time while maintaining a safety margin. Additionally, using Nitrox can enhance a diver's overall safety, especially on repetitive dives, since the buildup of nitrogen in the body is lower, allowing for reduced surface intervals to off-gas the remaining nitrogen.

While other options discuss aspects like stringent limits, nitrogen narcosis, or the idea that there is no effect, they do not capture the inherent advantage of Nitrox regarding decompression and surface intervals, which is why shorter mandatory surface intervals is the most appropriate choice.