Why do divers often prefer Nitrox over regular air for longer dives?

Divers often prefer Nitrox over regular air primarily because it reduces nitrogen limits and extends bottom time. Nitrox is a gas mixture that has a higher proportion of oxygen and a lower proportion of nitrogen compared to regular air. This change in gas composition directly affects the amount of nitrogen that is absorbed by the body during a dive.

When divers breathe Nitrox, they can take advantage of reduced nitrogen absorption, which decreases the risk of nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness. As a result, divers can safely extend their bottom time at certain depths. This is particularly beneficial for dives that are planned to be longer or deeper, as divers can explore more without accumulating excess nitrogen in their systems.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary reasons for the preference of Nitrox. Increased buoyancy control can be achieved through various means, but it is not specifically a benefit of Nitrox. Improved color vision underwater is not a documented advantage of using Nitrox; such changes are more related to light conditions than the breathing gas. Higher oxygen saturation is a result of increased oxygen content but does not provide a direct benefit to dive times in the same manner that the reduction of nitrogen does. Thus, the significant advantage of Nitrox lies in its ability to extend bottom time while