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Scuba Diving/O2 diving
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Question
Can you dive on pure O2? A colleague has said that you can but I thought that O2 was toxic in the water. Please can you confirm this for me.
Thanks for your question and it is a good one.
Yes, you can dive on any mixture of air and oxygen, even up to 100% oxygen. The maximum operating depth of 100% O2 is 20 feet (6 meters) (with a ppO2 of 1.6) however. Breathing 100% below that depth would likely resulting in CNS O2 toxicity and likely drowning.
In Nitrox classes, you learn how to breath mixes up to 40% and properly calculate the maximum operating diving depth of the mix, establish a safe ppO2 of 1.4, and calculate an exposure time to that mix in order to reduce the risk of a CNS hit.
In advanced Nitrox and decompression diving courses you learn how to use mixes up 100% to enhance nitrogen elimination during decompression stages of the dive.
Note that special equipment procedures are also mandated when breathing mixes greater than 40%. Also note that there is no benefit to breathing 100% O2 under the water for normal recreational diving.
Have fun diving, Jesse
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Answers by Expert:
Jesse Scott
Expertise
I can help you with questions about what to expect when learning how to SCUBA dive; how to select a good instructor and dive shop; and how to begin diving after you have been trained. I can help out with gear questions. I am always happy to discuss topics you learned in training but would like to know more detail. I can recommend additional training and books on SCUBA diving. I can discuss NC wreck diving also. I can also discuss what`s involved in learning becoming more involved in the sport and being a rescue diver, dive master, or instructor. NOTE!! I cannot answer medical questions because I am not a doctor.
Experience
I am an SSI Master Instructor and a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. I have over 500 dives in a wide variety of diving environments and scenarios. I have been diving for 10 years. I also teach numerous specialties including Nitrox.
Organizations
PADI, SSI, NSS-CDS, DAN, NACD, PSI
Education/Credentials
PADI OWSI (Open Water, Advanced OW, Rescue, Divemaster)
SSI MI (OW, Advanced OW; Night, Deep, Wreck, Boat, Nitrox, Navigation, Night, Computer, Search and Recovery, Dry Suit, Advanced Buoyancy Specialties)
Emergency First Response CPR and First Aid Instructor
DAN Diving Emergency Management Provider and Instructor
PSI Visual Tank Inspector
NACD, NSS-CDS Cavern Diver
TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression diver
Awards and Honors
SSI Master Instructor
SSI Gold 500 Instructor
SSI Gold 500 Diver
SSI Century Instructor
SSI Century Diver
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