Nitrogen, you learned about it as an Open Water Diver, then again as an Advanced Open Water diver you started to see how it really affects you and your allowable bottom times (NDL - No Decompression Limits). Well why not reduce the amount of nitrogen we breathe?
Diving on Air (21% - Oxygen - O2 / 79% Nitrogen N2) to 18m, you can potentially stay for up to 56 minutes if you have enough air in your cylinders. In comparison to Enriched Air Nitrox x32 (32% O2 / 68% N2) where you can stay for up to 95 minutes and on 36% for up to 126 Minutes.
Go a little deeper on air (21% O2) to 25m (say on the Northland's Canterbury or Waikato wrecks or many of the sites at the Poor Knights Islands) and you can stay for upto 28 mins. But on EANx32 (32% O2) you can stay for up to 40 minutes and on EANX36 (O2 36%) for up to 50 minutes.
Is it starting to make sense yet? Now add in the cost of a charter and the time you spend underwater and the training will be well worth it.
So to dive on "Nitrox" you just need to complete the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox course which involves reading the PADI manual and attending an evening of theory in the classroom. Here in New Zealand, you are also required by Worksafe to complete two Nitrox dives with your instructor. We can complete these "FUN" dives on any of our Poor Knights Islands or Bay of Islands trips. Note the cost of these trips is not included in the course cost.
Before you start the course you must read the PADI Enriched Air Dive manual and complete the Knowledge Reviews. You'll be pleased to know that there is no Final Exam on this course.
Ideally you'll train using your own equipment but we do have equipment available in our school if required.