What is a drawback to using enriched air nitrox?

The correct choice highlights the limitation imposed by increased oxygen levels in enriched air nitrox. When using nitrox, the oxygen percentage is elevated compared to regular air, which can lead to a reduction in the maximum operating depth. This is due to the increased risk of oxygen toxicity, which can occur when divers exceed certain depth limits while using higher percentages of oxygen. For instance, if a nitrox blend contains more than 21% oxygen, it becomes critical to monitor depth because the partial pressure of oxygen increases as a diver descends.

This essential understanding allows divers to enjoy extended bottom times on shallower dives while also being aware of the depth limitations associated with their specific nitrox blend. Always staying within the safe operational limits is crucial for safety and effective dive planning.

The other options are less accurate because they do not emphasize the primary risks tied to enriched air nitrox, which revolve around its elevated oxygen content. Higher levels of nitrogen is not applicable since nitrox is designed to reduce nitrogen exposure. Buoyancy effects are not directly impacted by the use of nitrox in a significant way. Additionally, divers do not experience less overall dive time when using enriched air nitrox; in fact, they often enjoy longer dive times at shallower depths, contingent