Advanced Nitrox
High-oxygen decompression gases and oxygen-clean equipment — not ordinary recreational Nitrox.
Advanced Nitrox is not ordinary recreational Nitrox. It deals with mixes up to 100 percent oxygen used as accelerated decompression gases, and the equipment requirements that come with them.
The course covers oxygen exposure tracking across a dive, gas switching procedures, decompression gas selection and the handling of oxygen-clean cylinders and regulators.
It is usually taken alongside or immediately before Decompression Procedures, and together they form the standard entry point into technical diving.
A centre offering EAN32 is not offering this
Recreational enriched air support means a compressor, a blending system and an analyser. Advanced Nitrox support means oxygen-clean cylinders, oxygen-compatible regulators, high-oxygen fills and staff who handle them properly.
These are different capabilities, and a centre advertising Nitrox should not be assumed to provide both.
Gas switching is the critical skill
Breathing a 100 percent oxygen decompression mix at the wrong depth is fatal. Every technical agency teaches a verification procedure — confirming the analysis, the depth and the cylinder with a buddy — precisely because the consequence of getting it wrong is immediate.
Before you sign up
Are you ready?
- Buoyancy, trim and valve awareness must remain stable while handling an additional cylinder.
- The diver should already understand recreational Nitrox analysis, maximum operating depth and oxygen exposure.
Comparing programmes
- TDI and IANTD commonly teach Advanced Nitrox beside decompression procedures; PADI and SSI distribute similar capability across staged pathway courses.
- Compare permitted gases, maximum oxygen content, number of stage cylinders and whether the programme includes actual decompression or only prepares for it.
What you come out with
- The central outcome is safe analysis, labelling and switching of high-oxygen decompression gas.
- The certification is not a substitute for a decompression qualification where mandatory stops are planned.
Questions to ask the centre
- Is Decompression Procedures taught concurrently?
- Which gases and cylinders are included?
- How many gas switches are practised in open water?
Sources: PADI — Technical Diving Education · SSI — Extended Range training · TDI — current diver standards
Dive sites where Advanced Nitrox matters
Sites where the skills this course teaches are directly useful.
Dive centres that teach at this level
Centres whose training capability covers this course. Availability, schedules and the exact agency programme vary; confirm with the centre.
Perth Scuba
ProfiledCanning Vale · Perth · WA
One of the most fully documented operations in Western Australia, covering recreational, professional, technical and freediving training alongside substantial equipment facilities.
perthscuba.com · (08) 9455 4448
Abyss Scuba Diving
ProfiledRamsgate · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.
abyss.com.au · +61 2 9583 9662
Dolphin Scuba Diving
ProfiledWelshpool · Perth · WA
A Perth business providing training, equipment and service support.
dolphinscuba.com.au · (08) 9353 2488
Dive Darwin
ProfiledDarwin · Darwin Harbour · NT
The main verified dive operation in the Northern Territory, offering recreational training through professional level alongside technical diving and a large specialty range.
divedarwin.com.au · +61 401 751 651
Frog Dive Sydney
ProfiledGladesville · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Willoughby PADI 5 Star IDC founded in 1985, teaching recreational through Trimix and rebreather courses with PADI, SDI and TDI, and testing cylinders in-store.
frogdive.com.au · (02) 9958 5699
Dive Centre Manly
ProfiledManly · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.
divesydney.com.au · (02) 9977 4355
Dive Centre Bondi
ProfiledBondi · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
An Eastern Suburbs PADI 5 Star IDC on Bondi Road teaching through Instructor and technical levels, with air, Nitrox and Trimix fills and manufacturer-approved servicing.
divebondi.com.au · +61 2 9369 3855
Grey Nurse Charters
ProfiledNelson Bay · Port Stephens · NSW
A PADI-registered dive boat running charters around Port Stephens, Newcastle and Swansea, with PADI courses to Divemaster and TecRec.
greynurse.com.au · 0408 633 793
Feet First Dive
ProfiledNelson Bay · Port Stephens · NSW
A Nelson Bay SSI centre running Broughton Island boat dives and Port Stephens shore dives, with rebreather and Extended Range training.
feetfirstdive.com.au · (02) 4984 2092
Dive Experience
ProfiledMount Gambier · Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves · SA
A Mount Gambier business serving the region's cave and sinkhole diving community, including equipment and gas support.
dive-experience.com.au · 0478 693 760
Scuba Haven Port Macquarie
ProfiledPort Macquarie · Port Macquarie & Camden Haven · NSW
A Port Macquarie SSI centre offering air and Nitrox, equipment servicing, and boat, shore and river dives around Port Macquarie and Laurieton.
scubahaven.com.au · 0407 457 542
Shellharbour Scuba
ProfiledShellharbour · Wollongong & Kiama · NSW
A Shellharbour Village dive shop giving access to Bass Point and Bushrangers Bay, teaching SDI and TDI courses from beginner to technical levels.
shellharbourscuba.com.au · +61 2 4296 4266
Advanced Nitrox: frequently asked questions
What is the difference from recreational Nitrox?
Recreational Nitrox covers mixes up to around 40 percent used as bottom gas. Advanced Nitrox covers mixes up to 100 percent used as decompression gases, with the equipment and procedures that requires.
Do I need this for CCR?
Most rebreather pathways require or strongly recommend it, since bailout planning and oxygen handling are central to closed-circuit diving.