lamont wrote:thermal conductivity and heat capacity of O2 and N2 are close enough to not make any practical difference, particularly between 21% and 32%. any difference between air and nitrox as suit inflation or breathing gas is going to be placebo effect.
As far as thermal difference I plead ignorance due to indifference. Undergarment and whether my suit leaks or not have the greatest influence on how warm I am! As far as physiological effect that makes a difference in how you feel... well, the following quote says it best.
lavachickie wrote:I'd read some material (from DAN, maybe) that said there was no scientific research supporting the claims that one felt better/less tired/etc. after diving on Nitrox compared to air. I'm usually pretty skepitical, but all I can say is after I started diving Nitrox I called bullshit on that... maybe it's a difficult issue to measure/quantify, but whatever... IT'S TRUE. A long day of multiple dives in the cold would wipe me out. Now I'm just comfortably and happily tired.
![:) :)](./../images/smilies/smile.gif)
That's scientific, right?
Right on Lavachickie! In terms of physiological difference (how I feel) I will second lavachickie's big BS on the idea that there is no difference. I wonder if Dan's research was in nice warm, clear, blue water? Whether some people "feel" the difference or not is immaterial to me - not everyone "feels" narced, but narcosis is real (helium, anyone?), some don't "feel" any different physiologically diving nitrox, but I remain unconvinced that something that so greatly affects your NDL's has "no effect" on your body, and thus how you "feel". The abundant anecdotal evidence is enough for me, particularly in the one study that is the most relevant - the study monitoring my old, tired body.
Perhaps if one is young, fit, has a very low body fat percentage there might be little difference between diving air and nitrox. Alas, though I am getting better I do not yet find myself in that category!
ktb wrote:And Tom, the Tacoma Scuba Nitrox punch card is so worth it -- only $7 a fill.
And thanks Kelly - I am very familiar with Tacoma Scuba's wonderful Nitrox punch card. A sweet deal! In fact I have one in my wallet.
But their $20 unlimited airfill deal is an even better deal, and as I am cheap... well, you get the idea.
But, I am also old, so come December a nitrox card is going back into my monthly budget. But it has to be in the budget!
Nwbrewer wrote:I have something far better than a compressor. A dive buddy with a compressor.
![:partydance: :partydance:](./../images/smilies/partydance.gif)
Oh, and Mr brewer's post is the most sensible in this thread!
![:taco: :taco:](./../images/smilies/taco.gif)