What is a common Nitrox blend for recreational diving?

A common Nitrox blend for recreational diving is composed of 32% oxygen and 68% nitrogen. This blend, often referred to as EAN32 (Enriched Air Nitrox 32), is widely used because it provides a higher percentage of oxygen than air, which typically contains about 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen. The increased oxygen content in Nitrox allows divers to benefit from longer no-decompression limits and reduced nitrogen absorption, leading to a decreased risk of decompression sickness.

Divers choose this mix to enhance their diving experience while maximizing safety, particularly in deeper dives. The use of a blend with 32% oxygen strikes a good balance between the advantages of increased oxygen exposure and the limits of oxygen toxicity, which can become a concern at deeper depths. Thus, EAN32 has become a standard in recreational diving for divers who are trained in its use and understand the necessary precautions.