How Much More Would You Pay for Nitrox?

[Michael Guerrero]

the complex solution is just get an O2 bottle and take an AN/DP class, that way worst thing you're doing is fighting a bit of more narc at depth, but you can just deco.

I always get air fills and take an O2 bottle with me if it's local stuff, and then will just top off with nitrox in cave country as I go, same on the coast.

Same here. 170' or less I dive air w/ an AL40 of O2. Maybe some 50% too if I'm going to be down there a while.

---------- Post added November 20th, 2014 at 10:59 PM ----------

and my bladder full enough

Pee valves are a wonderful thing. I recommend the unbalanced kind

 

[KenGordon]

How much do you pay for house or car insurance?

Nitrox isn't only about longer NDL times, it softens the risk for the dive. Your nitrogen loading will be less at all points in the dive (*), a bit like being shallower the whole time. While that doesn't eliminate all the risks of a fast ascent it helps with some. If doing deco diving then the stops will be shorter so if missed the consequences ought to be less dire. It is preparation which help to improve you chances when stuff goes wrong.

Personally I use nitrox for all proper dives. For a 10m training dive in a lake I would not bother unless lots of ascents are likely, otherwise if I can get it I use it.

For me the cost of the gas is mostly lost in the noise. I pay 1p/litre for O2. That comes out as about USD10 for 32% in twin 12s (double 100s) over the cost of the air fill. So £14 rather than £8. The rest of a day's diving averages out at about £100 so a 6% difference.

Say I go to Cozumel for a couple of weeks at a cost of £2000 and do 20 dives. If nitrox is USD10 extra per tank that will be £120 extra. 6% again.

When it all goes wrong the mix you are breathing might make the difference between a limp and a wheelchair.

Ken

* unless you run up to the NDL but that of course takes longer on nitrox.

 

[Storker]

Pee valves are a wonderful thing.

I'm not judging other people on what they get off on, but personally I don't think gluing a condom (OK, condom catheter) to my privates would be very close to what I consider "having a good time".

 

[tomfcrist]

Holy cow ... that's a rip-off! I don't even pay that much for helium ...


... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Bob, you dont even want to know what they retail helium for around here. When I was down in Texas with Tim O'Leary, he told me how cheap he gets his helium....I feel violated now by local prices.

 

[Diver0001]

What's everyone else's dividing line for choosing between air and nitrox?

This is one of the reasons I started teaching. Where I teach now I get free air and/or Nitrox, which in my case more than pays for my membership fees and insurance. The other perks, like discounts for gear and maintenance and just being "in the game" and having the chance to share this beautiful sport with other people--especially newbies--makes being an instructor more than gratifying.

So... I don't pay anything for air or nitrox.... but the really expensive dives are the trimix dives. I do quite a few dives on air (if I'm honest) that I should probably do on trimix. I do them on air, however, because trimix costs are around €80 to €100 euros per dive.

R..

 

[DivemasterDennis]

For repetitive dives over several days, I will spring for nitrox. Many resorts or liveaboards will offer a weekly rate. If it comes to about $5.00 per tank, then it's a bargain in my book. If it comes to less than $7.50 per tank, I still feel ok about it.
DivemasterDennis

 

[boulderjohn]

T
So... I don't pay anything for air or nitrox.... but the really expensive dives are the trimix dives. I do quite a few dives on air (if I'm honest) that I should probably do on trimix. I do them on air, however, because trimix costs are around €80 to €100 euros per dive.

That's a pretty good price compared to where I dive.

 

[whitefang21]

I'm not judging other people on what they get off on, but personally I don't think gluing a condom (OK, condom catheter) to my privates would be very close to what I consider "having a good time".

ohh common, You do not feel the condom catheter i attach and take it off at home. Just get a quick connect and attach it at home. You get to the dive site just clip in.
:focus:

The cost of Nitrox is expensive for some, thats why as an individual you should try to negotiate with the Diveshop for your air fills especially if you diving regularly.

Lets Examine this:, Do you think you ( average consumer walking into a dive shop) are paying the same Price for Nitrox as Divemaster, instructor or regular customer of the shop. Some dive-shops even give a 15% discount to its preferred customers.

I have seen some shops charge up to $20 per tank - for a Nitrox fill then justify by saying, ohh they have to get a blender in and it will take time. I agree it will take time especially, if you order not on the banks fill like - 29% please. At that cost though not justified.

* The kicker is you meet a DM from their shop on the Dive Boat and he pays $5 for fills and that's if he is not working. Lessons learned from ocean diving*

 

[uncfnp]

My dives are vacation dives so it's 2, 3 or more dives per day over 6 to 9 days. There is no question that I am willing to pay for nitrox. The cost of the trip far exceeds the small additional cost for Nitrox and it is will worth it for the added bottom time. After all, that's the whole point of the trip!

 

[bradells]

It all depends on the dive coming up, and what's left in my tanks.

Sometimes I can squeak out a 28% for a dive if I have half full tank, and top to 3000 with Air.

It's about $30 locally ($15/tank) PP blended for my big tanks (double 16L/130).

$10/tank is my limit for charters/operations supplying tanks/gas. Any more than that, you really have to weigh in on your dive plans vs gas cost. (Ie, if the top of the walls start at 80' ... You don't have much time with air dives)

BRad