PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty Course

The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is PADI’s most popular specialty scuba course. Why? Because scuba diving with enriched air nitrox gives you more dive time, especially on repetitive scuba dives. If staying down longer and getting back in the water sooner sounds appealing, then don’t hesitate to become an enriched air diver.

Duration: 2 hours
Minimum Age: 12
Prerequisites: PADI Open Water (or equivalent)

Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver FAQs – Seminole Scuba

What Does It Mean to Be Nitrox Certified?

At Seminole Scuba, becoming Nitrox (Enriched Air) certified means you’ve been trained to safely dive using a breathing gas with more oxygen and less nitrogen than regular air.

Most nitrox blends (like 32% or 36% oxygen) allow you to:

• Stay down longer

• Shorten surface intervals

• Feel less fatigued after repetitive dives

This makes nitrox especially popular for:

• Boat diving

• Dive trips

• Wreck and reef diving here in Florida

In your course, you’ll learn how to:

• Analyze and label nitrox tanks

• Set your dive computer correctly

• Understand oxygen exposure limits

• Dive safely using enriched air

At Seminole Scuba, we make this one of the easiest and most valuable upgrades you can add to your diving.

What Are the Downsides of Nitrox?

Nitrox offers great benefits—but like anything in diving, it comes with responsibilities.

The main considerations are:

• Depth limits (you must stay shallower than with air)

• Oxygen toxicity risk if limits are exceeded

• Slightly higher cost for fills

• Additional training required

The good news?
At Seminole Scuba, we teach you exactly how to manage all of this safely and confidently—so nitrox becomes a tool, not a risk.

How Long Should You Wait to Fly After Diving with Nitrox?

General guidelines are:

• 12 hours after a single dive

• 18 hours after multiple dives

• 24 hours after dives requiring decompression

Even though nitrox reduces nitrogen absorption, you should still follow standard safe flying intervals.

When in doubt, our instructors are always happy to help you plan your dives safely.

What Is an Enriched Air Diver?

An Enriched Air Diver is a certified diver trained to use nitrox safely.

With this certification, you can:

• Extend your no-decompression limits

• Make more dives in a day

• Dive more conservatively

At Seminole Scuba, this is one of our most recommended specialty courses, especially for divers planning:

• Travel

• Liveaboards

• Frequent local diving

How Long Can You Dive with Nitrox?

Nitrox doesn’t increase how much air is in your tank—but it reduces nitrogen absorption, which allows you to stay longer within safe limits.

Example:

• At ~60 feet, nitrox can nearly double your allowable bottom time compared to regular air

It’s especially beneficial in the 50–100 ft range, which is perfect for many Florida dives.

Is There a Difference Between Nitrox and Enriched Air?

No—these terms are often used interchangeably.

• Nitrox = nitrogen + oxygen mix

• Enriched Air = nitrox with more than 21% oxygen

Most recreational divers use EANx32 or EANx36, and at Seminole Scuba, we’ll show you exactly how to use each safely.

What Are The Costs to Get Nitrox Certified? What Equipment Will I need to get Nitrox Certified?

At Seminole Scuba, we keep things simple and transparent:

• Learning covers your knowledge development

• In-person session completes your certification

------>You can often finish your nitrox certification in just one day

If you choose to do the optional dives:

• Rental gear is available if needed

• Most modern equipment is already nitrox-compatible

We provide:

• Nitrox tanks

• Oxygen analyzer

• Instructor guidance every step of the way

What is The Time Commitment? How Long does it take to get Nitrox certified?

• Learning: 2–4 hours

• Total course: 1 day (or 1–2 days max)

Many divers complete this alongside:

• Open Water

• Advanced Open Water

• Peak Performance Buoyancy

• Other specialty courses

Why Take Nitrox with Seminole Scuba?

Because it’s one of the best investments you can make in your diving.

You’ll:

• Get more time underwater

• Dive more conservatively and safely

• Be better prepared for trips and advanced diving

And with our team, you’ll learn it in a way that’s:

• Easy

• Practical

• Immediately useful

Ready to Dive Longer and Safer?

Join us at Seminole Scuba and earn your Enriched Air (Nitrox) certification.

More time underwater. More dives. More adventure.