Specialty · Nitrox
PADI's most popular specialty of all. Learn to dive with enriched-air (nitrox) blends to extend your no-decompression time on almost any dive.
Get more infoEnriched air, commonly called nitrox, contains more oxygen and less nitrogen than regular air. With the right training, it can extend your no-decompression time on many dives and leave you feeling fresher.
The PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty teaches you how to plan, analyse and dive with enriched air safely. It is one of the most popular specialties because it is useful on almost every dive.
| Theory (knowledge development) | Knowledge development is usually done through PADI eLearning and takes about three hours, followed by a review with your instructor. |
| Pool / confined water | Not applicable. |
| Open water | Two enriched air dives or pre-dive simulations are completed with your instructor, depending on the programme. |
PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent, and you must be fit to dive.
Minimum age: 12 years old.
Training dives: Two enriched air training dives or simulations per PADI standards.
Typically a day or less, plus about three hours of eLearning.
Any certified diver who wants longer bottom times or more comfortable repetitive diving.
Done almost entirely as theory — much of it available as online self-study — so you can add it to virtually any trip without losing water time.
Pairs naturally with Wreck Diver and Deep Diver, and counts toward PADI Master Scuba Diver.
No open-water dives are strictly required to certify. Enriched Air Diver is done almost entirely as theory — much of it available as online self-study — covering nitrox theory and technique, equipment considerations, managing your oxygen exposure, reading tank contents correctly, and setting up a dive computer for enriched air.
You need to be a certified diver to enrol, though there's no minimum certification level beyond that specified on this page — if you're unsure whether your current certification qualifies, contact us to confirm before booking.
It's PADI's most popular specialty because enriched-air (nitrox) blends extend your no-decompression time on almost any dive, meaning more bottom time on the same dive profile. It also pairs naturally with Wreck Diver and Deep Diver, and counts toward PADI Master Scuba Diver.
Yes — since it's largely theory-based, you can complete it before or alongside almost any trip, including coastal trips to Sodwana Bay or Aliwal Shoal, without losing water time to training dives.
The price shown includes PADI materials where applicable, and club members save on most courses. Use "Check dates & book" on this page or visit our enquiry form; for anything else, contact us.
No. Enriched air does not let you dive deeper than air. Because of its higher oxygen content, you must stay within a calculated maximum depth.
PADI requires two enriched air dives or pre-dive simulations as part of certification.