Reasons NOT to use Enriched Air?

[scubadobadoo]

One other thing, and nothing scientific about it, I don't get headaches on Nitrox. I do on air (and no, it's no skip breathing).

That is correct. Nothing scientific about it because it's all in your head. (yes, pun intended )

To add to the OP's question...Reasons not to use nitrox include thinking that..."it will make me less tired, it doesn't give me headaches, and it makes me safer." The first two are placebo and I'll explain my take on the third.

It is my belief that only the diver can make the diver safer, not nitrox alone. Nitrox is only a tool the diver chooses to use. If you want to be safer then dive hydrated, ascend more slowly, drink less alcohol, be healthy, smoke less, go to the gym frequently, dive within your limits, dive with your brain and not just your computer, and keep your skills/gear in good shape to name a few things. All of the things I just mentioned are all more likely to lower your risk of a hit than simply using nitrox. Using nitrox IN RECREATIONAL DIVING hasn't yet lead to a significant decrease in the number of hits even when used within air limits regardless of the fact that having less nitrogen in your system is better as is obvious.

Now realistically we all are humans and nobody is perfect. I can't always and don't always go to the gym and have been known to eat cookies and cake...a lot. Beer is good too. What can ya do. Do what you can do but don't expect nitrox to eliminate a lifetime of bad habits and certainly don't expect it to eliminate bad diving habits.

 

[TSandM]

We learned to bring an unconscious diver up from depth in Rescue. Managing a toxing diver was covered in my 5thD-X Rec 2 class, in Rec Triox, and in NAUI Helitrox. We also did unconscious diver/toxing diver recovery in Intro to Cave and Cave 1.

 

[ianr33]

I never learnt how to deal with a toxing diver in any of my TDI classes (Deco procedures and Normoxic trimix)
The internet has its uses

 

[Anti-Hero]

We learned to bring an unconscious diver up from depth in Rescue. Managing a toxing diver was covered in my 5thD-X Rec 2 class, in Rec Triox, and in NAUI Helitrox. We also did unconscious diver/toxing diver recovery in Intro to Cave and Cave 1.

Question for you TSandM since you're a Dr.

If a diver is having a tox seizure, is the closed glottis a function of the muscles contracting due to the seizure, and if so, will only allowing the seizure to pass will it relax?

I'm asking because I used to have an epileptic dog and when he would seize he would make "hmmmm" noises as the spasms occurred, which sounded like they were from the diaphragm. I have also witnessed a person seizing which also made guttural sounds. Would this be an indication that the glottis was indeed open?

I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question. :11doh:

 

[TSandM]

Any sound suggests that some air passes the larynx, which means it isn't in complete spasm. But it may not be open enough to permit air to pass readily as it expands with ascent.

 

[DwayneJ]

Why not 40% ?? 40% 1.4 is 83' 1.6 is 99' Wouldn't this be best mix for a dive to 80 FSW?

Because you are not allowing any safety margin.

 

[InTheDrink]

That is correct. Nothing scientific about it because it's all in your head. (yes, pun intended )

To add to the OP's question...Reasons not to use nitrox include thinking that..."it will make me less tired, it doesn't give me headaches, and it makes me safer." The first two are placebo.

Can you point me towards some info on this placebo effect? I'm not saying I don't believe you, just I'm surprised as I didn't come up with the 'lack of headaches and less tiredness' after speaking to somone, I observed (or believed I did) these effects alone so would be interested in reading more on why these points are not considered true.

Anyhow, I'll continue believing on the basis that placebo can be better than nothing

 

[ianr33]

I'm convinced that reduced fatigue and no headaches are not due to any magical properties of nitrox but rather to decompression stress using air.

Slow down the ascents,extend the safety stops and the fatigue will go away.

 

[hobodiver]

During my AOW class, we made 5 dives over 2 days using air. On the first day, I got a headache at one point and ended up taking some asprin later. After the 2nd day, I was very tired and sore, although I will attribute the soreness to being somewhat out of shape.

A few weeks later, after taking my Nitrox class, I did 5 dives at the same location (and generally the same profile) in a single day using EAN32, and had neither headaches or tiredness/soreness. Certainly anecdotal, but I wouldn't throw the theory out the window entirely.

Edit: I should add that none of the other people I was diving with did more than 3 dives.

 

[String]

I'm convinced that reduced fatigue and no headaches are not due to any magical properties of nitrox but rather to decompression stress using air.

Slow down the ascents,extend the safety stops and the fatigue will go away.

Thats pretty much my view on it.

Certainly same type of profiles nitrox vs air i notice absolutely no difference in fatigue at all after a day of diving. (i dont get headaches since i sorted out my CO2 problem unless its a really hard dive for some reason).

However on accelerated deco dives i feel fresher leaving the water (i) after doing proper deep stops and (ii) decoing on 100% not 80 or 50.

Back gas wise though i cant see any difference nitrox v air for fatigue personally.