What is a key advantage of using Nitrox over Air?

Using Nitrox as a diving gas provides a significant advantage due to its reduced nitrogen absorption in the body. This is primarily because Nitrox, which is a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen with a higher percentage of oxygen than regular air (which is about 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen), results in a lower proportion of nitrogen in the breathing gas.

When divers breathe air, they absorb nitrogen into their bodies, which can lead to nitrogen narcosis or decompression sickness if a diver ascends too quickly or spends too much time at greater depths. By using Nitrox, divers experience decreased nitrogen loading, allowing for longer bottom times and a reduced risk of decompression sickness. This advantage is particularly beneficial on repetitive dives or when planning dives with longer durations at depth.

The other options do not hold the same level of benefit as using Nitrox. Increased buoyancy is not a feature of Nitrox; rather, buoyancy is generally affected by other factors such as the diver's equipment and body composition. The cost of diving with Nitrox can actually be higher than air since filling tanks with specialized gas requires additional training and equipment. Faster ascent rates are not inherently a benefit of using Nitrox, as ascent rates are typically governed by dive tables