AboutJesse 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
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.
Answer 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.
