What is one effective way to limit exposure to nitrogen while diving?

Utilizing Nitrox mixtures is an effective way to limit exposure to nitrogen while diving because Nitrox, or enriched air nitrox (EANx), has a higher percentage of oxygen and a lower percentage of nitrogen compared to standard air, which is composed of approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. By using Nitrox, divers can decrease the amount of nitrogen they absorb during the dive. This reduction in nitrogen exposure helps to mitigate the risk of nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness, allowing for longer bottom times and potentially facilitating shorter surface intervals when diving repetitively.

Other methods, such as staying at shallow depths or diving less frequently, may also reduce nitrogen exposure, but utilizing Nitrox directly addresses the composition of the breathing gas, thus making it the most effective method in this context. While diving on standard air mixtures and staying at shallow depths are valid considerations in dive planning, they do not inherently provide the same benefit as using a Nitrox mixture for limiting nitrogen exposure.