PADI Enriched Air Diver Exam Questions & Answers
What is "enriched air"? - ANSWER- Enriched air is any nitrogen/oxygen gas blend with
more than 21% oxygen.
What is the primary benefit of using enriched air? - ANSWER- It exposes you to less
nitrogen than when you dive with air.
How does using enriched air affect no stop limits? - ANSWER- It allows longer no stop
limits because you are absorbing less oxygen.
Why is it too simplistic to say enriched air is safer than air when diving will within air no
decompression limits? - ANSWER- Higher oxygen levels create a potential hazard that
hardly exists in air diving within recreational limits.
How does using enriched air affect narcosis when diving? - ANSWER- The current
thinking is the narcosis potential is the same.
What are three advantages of using an enriched air dive computer for enriched air
diving? - ANSWER- 1) Computers combine enriched air with multilevel diving for the
most no stop time possible.
2) Most models will or can be set to alert you if you accidentally exceed the maximum
depth for your gas blend.
3) Dive computers simplify diving planning and execution by calculating both your
oxygen exposure and your allowable no stop time, and warn you if you near the limits of
either.
What is the primary concern regarding enriched air and scuba equipment? - ANSWER-
High oxygen content.
, What are the requirements and recommendations for scuba equipment (other than
cylinders) used with enriched air with up to 40 percent oxygen? - ANSWER- 1)
Regulators, BCDs, SPGs, and alternate air sources may be used without modification.
2) Follow manufacturers recommendations.
3) Use oxygen compatible lubricants, o-rings, and other materials as appropriate during
service.
4) Have your regulator serviced annually, preferably by a technician qualified to work on
enriched air equipment. Have it inspected or recleaned by a qualified technician if you
accidentally expose it to anything other than water.
Why does enriched air diving require a dedicated cylinder? - ANSWER- 1) It is
important that no one accidentally confuse an enriched air cylinder for one of normal air.
2) If partial pressure blending with oxygen will be used, the cylinder must meet oxygen
service standards.
What color coding, stickers (decals) and tags should an enriched air cylinder have? -
ANSWER- 1) Yellow cylinders should have a 4 inch green band with yellow or white
lettering.
2) Non-yellow cylinders should have a 6 inch band with 1 inch of yellow on the top and
bottom, green in the middle, and yellow or white lettering.
3) There should be a dated visual inspection sticker.
4) There should be a sticker stating whether or not it meet oxygen service standards.
5) There should be a contents sticker or permanent tag that should , at a minimum, list
the oxygen content, the fill date, the maximum depth for the blend, and the name of the
person who analyzed the oxygen content to verify the blender's analysis.
What are the two primary concerns associated with filling enriched air cylinders, and
how are they avoided? - ANSWER- 1) Fire/explosion hazard.
2) Percentage of oxygen in the blend.
Have only reputable, qualified enriched air blenders fill enriched air cylinders for you.
What is "enriched air"? - ANSWER- Enriched air is any nitrogen/oxygen gas blend with
more than 21% oxygen.
What is the primary benefit of using enriched air? - ANSWER- It exposes you to less
nitrogen than when you dive with air.
How does using enriched air affect no stop limits? - ANSWER- It allows longer no stop
limits because you are absorbing less oxygen.
Why is it too simplistic to say enriched air is safer than air when diving will within air no
decompression limits? - ANSWER- Higher oxygen levels create a potential hazard that
hardly exists in air diving within recreational limits.
How does using enriched air affect narcosis when diving? - ANSWER- The current
thinking is the narcosis potential is the same.
What are three advantages of using an enriched air dive computer for enriched air
diving? - ANSWER- 1) Computers combine enriched air with multilevel diving for the
most no stop time possible.
2) Most models will or can be set to alert you if you accidentally exceed the maximum
depth for your gas blend.
3) Dive computers simplify diving planning and execution by calculating both your
oxygen exposure and your allowable no stop time, and warn you if you near the limits of
either.
What is the primary concern regarding enriched air and scuba equipment? - ANSWER-
High oxygen content.
, What are the requirements and recommendations for scuba equipment (other than
cylinders) used with enriched air with up to 40 percent oxygen? - ANSWER- 1)
Regulators, BCDs, SPGs, and alternate air sources may be used without modification.
2) Follow manufacturers recommendations.
3) Use oxygen compatible lubricants, o-rings, and other materials as appropriate during
service.
4) Have your regulator serviced annually, preferably by a technician qualified to work on
enriched air equipment. Have it inspected or recleaned by a qualified technician if you
accidentally expose it to anything other than water.
Why does enriched air diving require a dedicated cylinder? - ANSWER- 1) It is
important that no one accidentally confuse an enriched air cylinder for one of normal air.
2) If partial pressure blending with oxygen will be used, the cylinder must meet oxygen
service standards.
What color coding, stickers (decals) and tags should an enriched air cylinder have? -
ANSWER- 1) Yellow cylinders should have a 4 inch green band with yellow or white
lettering.
2) Non-yellow cylinders should have a 6 inch band with 1 inch of yellow on the top and
bottom, green in the middle, and yellow or white lettering.
3) There should be a dated visual inspection sticker.
4) There should be a sticker stating whether or not it meet oxygen service standards.
5) There should be a contents sticker or permanent tag that should , at a minimum, list
the oxygen content, the fill date, the maximum depth for the blend, and the name of the
person who analyzed the oxygen content to verify the blender's analysis.
What are the two primary concerns associated with filling enriched air cylinders, and
how are they avoided? - ANSWER- 1) Fire/explosion hazard.
2) Percentage of oxygen in the blend.
Have only reputable, qualified enriched air blenders fill enriched air cylinders for you.
