AIM
 

• To Introduce BSAC Sports Divers to the meticulous dive planning and practical skills required when diving and decompressing using enriched Nitrox mixtures.
• To monitor time spent at different depths tracking different partial pressures of oxygen in order to avoid oxygen toxicity.
• To teach the safe use of up to EANx 50 as both a diving and decompression gas.
• To teach the safe use BSAC Nitrox Decompression Tables.
• To teach the safe use of Nitrox and Air Computers.

DURATION
Two days: Day 1 - Classroom studies, Day 2 - Two Open Water Dives

ENTRY GRADE

• BSAC Sports Diver or similar (see BSAC SALT table) + 20 additional dives
• Current evidence of Fitness to Dive

APPROVAL
Course approval procedures apply. A BSAC Advanced Nitrox Diver student notes pack must be supplied to each student.

INSTRUCTORS
This course must be led and staffed by approved BSAC Nitrox Instructors. A register of approved BSAC Nitrox Instructors is maintained by the Chief Examiner at BSAC HQ.
Ratio - One Instructor for every eight students in the classroom: One Instructor to maximum of four students in water. However, the ratio is dependant on visibility and may have to be reduced. Instructors must be able to see all students at the same time and this may demand a one-to-one ratio.

FACILITIES

• A suitable classroom for theory lessons, with enough space to spread Nitrox cylinders for practical analysing lessons.
• A suitable open water site for practical diving on Day Two.
• The following equipment will be required for the practical dives:
• 1 Nitrox cylinder per student (minimum 10 litre)
• 1 Pony cylinder (or doubles) per student
• 1 Delayed SMB per student
• Oxygen analysers.

Nitrox cylinders must conform to the BSAC recommendations: in test, in Oxygen Service and correctly labelled.

QUALIFICATION
Each part of the course concludes with an assessment, and only those who pass these assessments will receive the Advanced Nitrox Diver Certificate and qualification record book certificate.

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SYLLABUS
Instructor briefing

Assemble, Introductions, Administration.

1. Classroom Lesson - Introduction - 20 mins Course aims
   What is Nitrox?
   History of Nitrox
   Advantages and disadvantages of Nitrox as a diving and a decompression gas.
    
2. Classroom Lesson - Pressure and Nitrox mixes - 20 mins
   Atmospheric and Absolute Pressure
   Dalton’s Law
   Calculating ppO₂
   Maximum Operating Depth and Nitrox mix.
    
3. Classroom Lesson - Nitrogen and Nitrox Diving - 90 mins
   BSAC Nitrox Decompression Tables
   Nitrogen Narcosis
   Decompression - good practice, equipment
   Carbon Dioxide Toxicity.
   Nitrox and Air Dive Computers
    
4. Classroom Lesson - Oxygen and Human Physiology - 60 mins
   Effects of Oxygen
   CNS and Whole Body Toxicity
   Monitoring Oxygen uptake
    
5. Classroom Lesson - Equipment for Nitrox diving - 60 mins
   Decompression equipment and configuration
   Dive Cylinders
   Regulators
   Other diving equipment
   Oxygen Service
    
6. Classroom Lesson - Nitrox Mixing and Analysing - 45 mins
   Ways to Mix / Blend Nitrox
   Advantages, disadvantages
   Practical Gas Analysing
    
7. Classroom Lesson - Dive Organisation & Management - 60 mins
   Dive Marshalling
   Pairing divers
   Decompression planning
   Accident Management
   Dive planning
    
8. Classroom - Theory Assessments - 60 mins
    
9. Classroom - Open Forum - 15 mins