5.4. Nitrox
Diving with nitrox provides you with an opportunity to increase bottom times or reduce
the risk of decompression illness by reducing the nitrogen content in the gas mix.
However, when the gas mix is altered, the oxygen content of the mix is generally in-
creased. This increase exposes the diver to an oxygen toxicity risk not usually con-
sidered in recreational diving. In order to manage this risk, the dive computer tracks
the time and intensity of the oxygen exposure and provides the diver with information
to adjust the dive plan in order to maintain oxygen exposure within reasonably safe
limits.
In addition to the physiological effects of enriched air on the body, there are operational
considerations to be addressed when handling altered breathing mixes. Elevated
concentrations of oxygen present a fire or explosion hazard. Consult the manufacturer
of your equipment to check its compatibility with nitrox.
5.5. Freediving
Freediving, and particularly freediving in combination with scuba diving, may present
risks that have not been researched and are not commonly known.
Anyone who engages in any form of breath hold diving is in danger of shallow-water
blackout (SWB), that is, the sudden loss of consciousness caused by oxygen starvation.
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