PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver Course

There is less nitrogen than regular air in enriched air, also known as nitrox or EANx. Breathing less nitrogen means you can enjoy longer dives and shorter surface intervals. Enriched Air Diver is one of the most popular PADI specialities.

Enrol in Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver if you want to:

Get nitrox air fills

Stay at depth longer

Enjoy shorter surface intervals

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Available languages

  • English
  • Russian
  • Portuguese
  • Arabic
  • Dutch
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Chinese Simplified
  • Chinese Traditional

Contact the PADI dive centre for information on other available languages.

System requirements

The online courses of PADI work on the browsers listed below: Ensure that your browser is updated to have the best experience.

  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Edge
  • Firefox

You can also study at a location that has no internet access. Just use the PADI Training app to download course content and study offline. You can download the content in small sections with a total file size of around 440 MB. You can upload your progress when you get back online. This will help you in resuming your training right where you left off. The app is available for Android as well as Apple iOS devices. Devices should not be more than three models old and updated with the latest Operating System (OS).

You will learn how to:

  • Dive with nitrox
  • Set your dive computer
  • Use an oxygen air analyzer

Earning an Enriched Air Nitrox Certification

Taking this course will teach you why nitrox allows you to make longer dives along with how you can dive nitrox safely with the help of online independent study. You will also meet your PADI instructor for hands-on practical exercises and two (optional) dives.

Independent study

PADI eLearning- You can fit scuba diving lessons into your hectic schedule easily with online learning. One can complete the independent study part of this diving course at their convenience. You can work at your own pace, online or offline, using a mobile device or a computer. Talk to the instructor for in-water training or whenever there is some doubt.

eLearning time commitment: 2-4 hours

At the dive shop

With your instructor- Once your independent study is finished, then you will be taught how to analyse a tank, fill out an enriched air log, and set your dive computer for nitrox. There are two optional dives as well.

  • Prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification)
  • Total time commitment: 1-2 days
  • Minimum age: 12 years or older
  • Depth: 0

Medical requirements

A minimum level of health and fitness is required for scuba diving. In case you are suffering from any chronic health condition, or taking certain medications and/or had surgery recently, you will have to get written approval from a physician before diving. In order to avoid any confusion, you can simply download and review the Diver Medical Form to make sure that you will not require approval from a physician to dive. You should not ask your instructor, dive master, or dive shop staff for medical advice as they are not physicians. Only medical professionals can give medical clearance to dive if you do not have a minimum level of health and fitness. 

Prerequisites and minimum age

Minimum age: 12 years

Course prerequisite: Enrolment in Open Water Diver

Divers, who are 12 years or older, can earn a PADI Enriched Air Diver certification as a part of their PADI Open Water Diver course. For more details, you can talk to your instructor. 

Other costs and equipment

PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver certification requires both knowledge development as well as in-person training. 

  • The cost covers the knowledge development portion only when you buy the PADI eLearning course online.
  • An additional cost is involved in completing the practical training with a PADI Instructor. You can contact Dive Andaman, a 5-star PADI facility in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), for more information.

If you want to make the two optional dives but you do not own a set of scuba equipment, then you will need to rent it. 

In case you have your own scuba gear, then make sure that it can be used with nitrox. However, most modern dive equipment is compatible. The PADI dive shop or your instructor will help you if you don’t have the manuals of your equipment.

You will learn in your course that only certain scuba tanks can be filled with enriched air. You will be provided dedicated nitrox cylinders for your enriched air dives by your PADI dive shop. Your instructor will also provide an oxygen analyzer.

Time commitment

PADI eLearning: 2-4 hours

Entire course: 1-2 days

One can earn nitrox certification in just one day. All you have to do is complete the online course and fix a short practical session with your PADI instructor. The two dives are optional. A nitrox certification can be earned simultaneously with another course. After you have completed Enriched Air eLearning and the practical session with your instructor, you can use nitrox while completing dives for Peak Performance Buoyancy certification, Advanced Open Water Diver certification, etc.

After Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver

If you are willing to learn how to stay underwater for an extended period, experience close-up animal encounters, and explore exclusive diving spots, then ask your PADI trainer about rebreather or technical diving.

Technical diving will allow you to dive beyond recreational ‘no stop’ limits. You can stay at a shallow depth for hours or dive beyond recreational dive limits. 

Rebreathers save and recycle your breathing gas. Thus, you can stay much longer under the water. Little to no bubbles are emitted by rebreathers. That’s why you can get closer to wildlife that otherwise may run away from the noisy bubbles of an open circuit system. 

If you ever get an opportunity to have the miraculous experience of scuba diving in the Andaman Islands, then grab it! Diving with the experts of Dive Andaman will surely be a great addition to your life. Havelock Island is known for having a number of outstanding locations that are great spots for diving. Going under the depths of these waters is exactly the type of experience that you are looking for. During your vacations in the stunning Andaman Islands, don’t forget to go for one of the finest scuba diving experiences in India that you can have in Havelock Island. 

The unique topography of Havelock Island makes the diving experience hard to get anywhere else. Most of its beaches are enclosed by long stretches of reefs that are hundreds of meters wide and are separated by the shore with shallow waters. Don’t forget to get a video memoir and photographs of your scuba diving experience in the depth of the ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. 1 : What is the PADI Enriched Air Diver course?
    The PADI Enriched Air Diver course in Andamans is specifically designed to equip divers with the necessary knowledge and skills to utilize enriched air nitrox as a breathing gas in a safe and effective manner. Enriched air nitrox is a gas mixture comprising oxygen and nitrogen with a higher oxygen concentration than regular air. Divers can extend their dive times and minimize the risk of decompression sickness by using this gas mixture. The course covers various aspects of diving with enriched air nitrox, including analyzing and labeling EANx cylinders, planning and executing EANx dives, and using specialized EANx dive tables. After successfully completing the course, divers receive a globally recognized certification.
  • Q. 2 : What is enriched air nitrox (EANx)?
    Enriched air nitrox, also known as EANx, is a specialized breathing gas used in scuba diving that contains a higher percentage of oxygen than regular air. This increased percentage of oxygen allows divers to stay underwater for longer periods of time by reducing the buildup of nitrogen in their bodies. Divers who use EANx also benefit from a reduced risk of nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness, which are caused by the accumulation of nitrogen in the body during dives. The specific percentage of oxygen and nitrogen in EANx can vary depending on the desired depth and duration of the dive, and divers must be trained in its use before diving with it.
  • Q. 3 : What are the prerequisites for the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course?
    The prerequisites for the PADI Enriched Air Diver course ensure that students have the necessary foundational knowledge and skills to safely and effectively dive with Enriched Air Nitrox. The minimum age requirement of 12 years ensures that students are physically and mentally mature enough to understand the concepts of diving with Enriched Air Nitrox. Additionally, the requirement to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent from another recognized training agency ensures that students have a basic understanding of scuba diving and have demonstrated their ability to safely and confidently dive in open water environments. These prerequisites also serve as a starting point for divers to continue their education and pursue more advanced diving certifications in the future.
  • Q. 4 : How much does the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course cost?
    The price of the PADI Enriched Air Diver course in Andamans can vary based on the location and dive shop. On average, it ranges from $200 to $300 USD, which includes the necessary course materials, instruction, and Enriched Air Nitrox tanks for training dives. Some dive shops may offer package deals that include additional courses or dive equipment. It is recommended to research and compare different dive shops to find the most suitable option for your budget and preferences. Discounts for group bookings or returning customers may also be available at some dive shops.
  • Q. 5 : What is the time commitment for the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course?
    The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is a relatively short course that can be completed in half a day, making it a convenient option for divers who want to improve their skills but have limited time. The course includes both classroom instruction and practical training dives, where students learn how to analyze and label Enriched Air Nitrox tanks, plan and execute dives using Enriched Air Nitrox, and adjust their dive equipment to accommodate the use of Enriched Air Nitrox. However, the actual time commitment may vary depending on the dive shop and the student's pace of learning. Some dive shops may offer the course over a few evenings or weekends, while others may offer it as a one-day course.
  • Q. 6 : How long is the PADI Enriched Air Diver certification valid?
    The PADI Enriched Air Diver certification is considered a lifetime certification, meaning that it does not have an expiration date. However, due to the nature of scuba diving and the potential risks involved, it is recommended that divers refresh their knowledge and skills every two years. This can be done through a PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty course or by diving with Enriched Air Nitrox under the guidance of a certified instructor. Refreshing your knowledge and skills will help you maintain your diving proficiency and ensure that you are up to date with the latest safety practices and procedures.
  • Q. 7 : Will the PADI Enriched Air Diver certification allow you to dive deeper?
    The PADI Enriched Air Diver certification does not allow you to dive deeper than your current certification level. It only enables you to extend your bottom time at your current depth by reducing the nitrogen uptake during the dive. This means that you can stay underwater longer without exceeding the no-decompression limits of your current certification level. In Andamans, where diving depths can range from shallow coral gardens to deep drop-offs, it is crucial to dive within your current certification level to ensure safe and enjoyable diving. It is always recommended to take additional training, such as the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course, to expand your diving skills and experience.
  • Q. 8 : Can I use Enriched Air Nitrox for all types of diving?
    Enriched Air Nitrox is a gas mixture that contains a higher percentage of oxygen than regular air, which allows divers to extend their bottom time and reduce the risk of decompression sickness. However, Enriched Air Nitrox is not suitable for all types of diving. It is recommended only for recreational diving within no-stop limits, as it may increase the risk of oxygen toxicity during decompression diving. Furthermore, Enriched Air Nitrox does not provide any additional benefits for deep diving. Therefore, it is essential to always dive within your training and experience level and to follow the recommended gas mixtures for the type of diving you plan to undertake.
  • Q. 9 : Who can teach the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course?
    In Andaman, there are several PADI-certified dive shops that offer the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course, and the instructors who teach the course are PADI-certified professionals. These instructors have undergone extensive training and have the necessary knowledge and experience to teach enriched air diving techniques safely and effectively. They are also equipped with the necessary tools and equipment to teach the course, such as enriched air cylinders, dive computers, and dive tables. Some dive shops may also offer the course through PADI Enriched Air Specialty Instructors who have additional training and experience in teaching enriched air diving, providing students with the opportunity to learn from highly skilled and experienced professionals.


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