What does the term Nitrox refer to?

The term Nitrox specifically refers to a breathing gas mixture that primarily consists of nitrogen and oxygen, with a higher percentage of oxygen than found in regular air. Typically, air is composed of approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, while Nitrox mixtures can vary in oxygen content, such as EANx32 (32% oxygen and 68% nitrogen) or EANx36 (36% oxygen and 64% nitrogen). The use of Nitrox can enhance dive safety by reducing the risks associated with nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness, as divers can operate at greater depths for longer durations with the right training and understanding of the gas mixture's properties.

In contrast, the other alternatives don't accurately reflect what Nitrox is. A mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide doesn't pertain to diving or breathing gas in this context. Pure oxygen is not what is intended by the term Nitrox, as Nitrox specifically involves a mixture that includes nitrogen. Lastly, while advancements in scuba tank design may be made for storing Nitrox blends, the term itself does not refer to any tank design but rather the composition of the gas used in the tank.