What is the main purpose of using Nitrox in scuba diving?

The primary purpose of using Nitrox in scuba diving is to extend bottom time and reduce the risk of nitrogen narcosis. Nitrox is a gas mixture that contains a higher percentage of oxygen and a lower percentage of nitrogen than regular air. By reducing the amount of nitrogen in the breathing gas, divers can experience less nitrogen absorption during their dives. This decrease in nitrogen exposure allows for longer dive durations at given depths while minimizing the effects of nitrogen narcosis, which can impair cognitive function and affect decision-making.

Enhanced bottom time is significant because it allows divers to explore and enjoy underwater environments more thoroughly without exceeding dive tables' limits or incurring excessive decompression obligations. Additionally, managing nitrogen levels effectively helps in promoting safety during dives.

The other choices focus on aspects that might not fundamentally relate to the core benefits of using Nitrox. Enhancing buoyancy control might be influenced by equipment or technique rather than gas composition; decreasing the weight of diving equipment does not pertain to the gas mixture itself; and improving visibility underwater is largely dependent on water clarity rather than the type of breathing gas. Hence, using Nitrox primarily serves to optimize dive duration and safety.