What is a common misconception about Nitrox diving?

A common misconception about Nitrox diving is the belief that it allows unlimited dive times. While Nitrox, which is a blend of oxygen and nitrogen with a higher percentage of oxygen than regular air, does provide certain advantages such as reduced nitrogen absorption and decreased risk of decompression sickness, it does not eliminate the need for adhering to dive limits.

The use of Nitrox does mean that divers can often extend their no-decompression limits and enjoy longer bottom times at certain depths compared to air diving, but each gas blend has its own specific limitations based on the partial pressure of oxygen. Exceeding these limits can lead to oxygen toxicity, particularly at greater depths. Therefore, although Nitrox can enhance dive profiles, it does not grant the freedom of unlimited dive durations.

In terms of safety, while Nitrox can offer benefits at certain depths compared to air, there are still scenarios at deeper depths where Nitrox may not be safer. Proper training is essential to understand the specific dive tables and limits associated with the Nitrox mix being used.