How does the use of Nitrox affect a diver's need for decompression stops?

Using Nitrox can decrease a diver's need for decompression stops due to the reduced amount of nitrogen in the breathing gas compared to air. When divers breathe air, they are inhaling nitrogen along with oxygen. During a dive, nitrogen is absorbed into the body under pressure and can create the need for decompression stops as a diver ascends to prevent decompression sickness.

With Nitrox, which is a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, the proportion of nitrogen is lower. This means less nitrogen is absorbed into the body tissues during the dive. As a result, when it comes time to ascend, the diver may accumulate less nitrogen and, therefore, may have a reduced requirement for decompression stops or for shorter stops, depending on the maximum depth and dive time.

It's important to note that while using Nitrox may reduce the need for decompression stops, it does not eliminate them entirely. Factors such as dive profile, duration, and individual diver physiology can still necessitate decompression stops for safety.