What is the effect of breathing Nitrox on dive tables or computers?

Breathing Nitrox has a significant effect on dive tables or computers primarily because it involves different algorithms to account for the reduced nitrogen absorption that occurs with Nitrox as opposed to air. Since Nitrox typically contains a higher percentage of oxygen and a lower percentage of nitrogen, divers using Nitrox experience less nitrogen uptake during their dives. This reduction in nitrogen absorption allows for longer allowable bottom times and shorter surface intervals, which means dive computers need to calculate these factors differently than they would for air dives. As a result, dives that utilize Nitrox may show greater bottom time limits at certain depths when compared to dives using regular air.

Understanding the specific algorithms for Nitrox is crucial for safe diving practices, as using standard air dive tables or computers without adjusting for Nitrox could lead to miscalculations and an increased risk of decompression sickness. Thus, nitrogen management in the context of dive planning is fundamentally altered when diving with Nitrox.