Effects of Nitrox

[BobArnold8265]

Although I have been diving for 4 years now, I just recently got Nitrox certified and plan to take my first dive with Nitrox next week in Bonaire. Does breathing nitrox really make you feel less fatigued than breathing air or is that just a myth ???

[NitroWill]

I personally think it's all in the head..Ive dove it many times and have never felt a difference..

[ianr33]

I'm convinced that nitrox will make you feel better after a dive IF your ascent rates are too fast and your safety stops too short. i.e. the nitrox is stopping you from getting slight,sub clinical DCS.

If you are doing good profiles on air then you will not see any difference in fatigue between air or nitrox.

[No Misses]

I dive EAN. I think it makes a big difference. I usually do 3 dives in 5 hrs. When I dove air I always had to stretch my surface intervals. I usually ended up with a pretty high Nitrogen exposure before the day was through. With Nitrox I can still dive 80-90 FSW for 40-45 minutes without getting into deco. JMO YMMV

[CompuDude]

From the tests that have been done on the subject, it appears to be a placebo effect.

Thing is, a placebo that works for you is just as good as a genuine direct physiological effect, don't you think?

I personally have not noticed a huge difference... but I feel sometimes like there may be a slight difference.

[Capt Hook]

My wife swears she's less tired with Nitrox, I don't see any difference.
Different stokes for different folks I guess.

[Charles R]

Use it for the intent of extending your bottom time and Shorting your SI and you will be more Tired cause you will Dive More

[ScaredSilly]

When I am diving a lot and using Nitrox has been on a live-a-board. I took lots of longer surface intervals. Otherwise if doing a series of dives over a day I might use either. We have not noticed one or the other.

[chinacat46]

Nitrox does make you lighter. I know after I've been diving it for a few days my wallet is definitely lighter then when I dive air.

[jo8243]

Originally Posted by ianr33

I'm convinced that nitrox will make you feel better after a dive IF your ascent rates are too fast and your safety stops too short. i.e. the nitrox is stopping you from getting slight,sub clinical DCS.

If you are doing good profiles on air then you will not see any difference in fatigue between air or nitrox.

I agree, this is the only way it could make a difference. That or just something to do with having less nitrogen loading on your body.

If you've ever breathed pure 02 on the surface you know you can't tell a difference from regular air.