What is a major advantage of using Nitrox in repetitive dives?

Using Nitrox during repetitive dives confers a significant advantage by allowing for shorter surface intervals between dives. This is primarily due to the reduced nitrogen levels found in Nitrox compared to regular air. Nitrox, having a higher proportion of oxygen and a lower proportion of nitrogen, leads to a decrease in the overall nitrogen absorption in the diver's body during the dives. As a result, the amount of nitrogen that needs to be off-gassed during a surface interval is less, enabling divers to safely return to the water more quickly.

The use of Nitrox can enhance diving experiences, particularly when planning multiple dives in a day, as it can allow divers to extend their time underwater while managing their nitrogen exposure more effectively. Consequently, divers can optimize their dive profiles and improve overall dive planning and safety.

While higher oxygen levels could theoretically reduce fatigue, such effects are not definitively established and can vary from diver to diver. Longer surface intervals are typically associated with air dives due to the increased nitrogen absorption, not with Nitrox use, which actually reduces the need for prolonged surface intervals. Additionally, while Nitrox can minimize the risk of certain types of dive-related injuries, such as decompression sickness due to nitrogen loading, it does not specifically address barotrauma,