What is a primary concern for divers using Nitrox regarding their diving environment?

Using Nitrox, which contains a higher percentage of oxygen compared to regular air, introduces specific considerations that divers must be aware of, particularly the risk of oxygen toxicity. Oxygen toxicity can occur when a diver breathes oxygen at elevated partial pressures, potentially leading to harmful effects on the central nervous system and other physiological systems. This risk is most prominent at depths greater than the no-decompression limits for the specific Nitrox blend being used.

Divers must be knowledgeable about their maximum operating depth (MOD) for the specific Nitrox mix they are using to ensure they stay within safe limits. Proper dive planning, including monitoring depth and time, is critical to avoid exceeding these limits and to prevent the potential onset of oxygen toxicity, which can manifest as various symptoms from mild euphoria to seizures, depending on the severity.

Other concerns like the cost of Nitrox tanks, tank refill times, and the availability of Nitrox in dive shops, while important to some extent, do not directly impact the immediate physiological risks associated with diving, which places greater emphasis on understanding and managing the risks of oxygen exposure.