SSI Enriched Air Nitrox — dive longer, surface with more energy
Format
Theory + Gas Analysis
Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) replaces some of the nitrogen in standard air with additional oxygen. With less nitrogen entering your body, your no-decompression limits (NDLs) extend significantly — meaning more time underwater before you need to surface.
At 18 metres on standard air, your NDL is around 56 minutes. On EANx32 (32% oxygen), the same depth gives you roughly 95 minutes. The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox course is mostly theory, with no extra dives required, and it's the most popular specialty certification in recreational diving worldwide.
At FlyingFish: We stock EANx32 and EANx36 tank fills on-site. Upon certification you can start using Nitrox on the same day — on any fun dive or other course dive.
SSI Enriched Air Nitrox — what you'll learn
Oxygen ToxicityUnderstanding partial pressure of oxygen (PPO2), maximum operating depth (MOD) calculation, CNS oxygen toxicity symptoms and prevention.
Partial Pressure PhysicsHow gas mixtures behave under pressure — Dalton's Law applied to Nitrox planning. Calculating equivalent air depth (EAD) for NDL extension.
Nitrox Dive Tables and ComputersUsing EANx32 and EANx36 tables for NDL planning. Programming a dive computer (Aladin Sport) for Nitrox operation.
Gas Analysis with an O2 AnalyserHow to verify the oxygen percentage in your tank using an O2 analyser before every Nitrox dive. Required by SSI standards.
Equipment Considerations for NitroxWhich components require O2-compatibility above 40% oxygen. What 'O2-clean' means and why it matters above certain concentrations.
Nitrox Dive PlanningPlanning a multi-dive day using Nitrox — staggered MODs, surface intervals, combining air and Nitrox dives in one day.
The SSI EAN course has no required dives; it's a knowledge-based certification. That said, the gas analysis training is hands-on, with real O2 analysers and real Nitrox fills.
Who can take SSI Enriched Air Nitrox
SSI Open Water Diver or equivalent
Age 10 years or older
No additional dive experience required
No prior specialty training needed
This is one of the easiest specialties to get into. If you hold any Open Water certification, you're eligible.
Nitrox course — theory first, then straight to diving
The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox course needs no extra open water dives to certify, which makes it one of the quickest specialties to finish.
Same-day application: Complete the theory and gas analysis training in the morning, and you can dive Nitrox that afternoon — on a fun dive at Grandé Island or as part of another ongoing course. Our ScubaPro Aladin Sport computers are pre-programmed to accept Nitrox mixes up to 50% O2.
If you'd like to try Nitrox diving during your certification, we can add 1–2 optional Nitrox dives at Grandé Island on the same day as your theory session. Grandé Reef and Shelter Cove at 10–18m are great for a first Nitrox dive; you'll see the longer NDL on your computer straight away.
What's included in this course
Theory sessions on Nitrox physics and planning
Nitrox dive planning workshops
Gas analysis training with real O2 analyser
SSI Enriched Air Nitrox certification card
Not Included
- Equipment rental for dives (can add optional dives)
- Accommodation
- Personal expenses
Certification: Your digital certification card is issued immediately upon successful completion. You are certified before you leave Goa and can dive anywhere in the world.
After your SSI Enriched Air Nitrox certification
Your EAN cert changes what you can do on every dive, right away:
Use EANx32 or EANx36 fills at FlyingFish and any SSI Nitrox centre worldwide
Significantly extended NDLs at typical recreational depths (18–30m)
Reduced nitrogen loading = less fatigue on repetitive dive days
Nitrox fills available right here at FlyingFish — use it from Day 1
Counts toward SSI Master Diver (4 specialties + rescue required)
Pairs perfectly with: SSI Advanced Adventurer — do both in one trip and your 30m deep dives will have meaningfully better NDLs on Nitrox than on air.
Why take your course with FlyingFish in Goa
Here's what actually sets us apart, minus the marketing fluff.
ScubaPro gear, serviced on schedule
Pro-grade gear serviced every 100 dives or 6 months, not when it fails. MK25/S620 regulator, Hydros Pro BCD, Aladin Sport dive computer. You train on the same kit our working instructors use.
Maximum 4:1 diver-to-instructor ratio
Your instructor always knows where you are underwater. No crowded groups. If a skill needs more practice, you get the time, not whatever's left over after 8 other students.
Both SSI and PADI certifications at one centre
We teach both agencies at the same location, so you can pick the certification that fits your future dive plans. You get honest advice, not a push toward whichever we sell more of.
A proper base at 5-star Novotel Candolim
Proper briefing rooms, clean rinsing stations, a structured course schedule. The difference between a real dive school and a beach shack matters when you're doing a multi-day certification course.
EANx32 and EANx36 fills on-site, use Nitrox the same day
We stock Nitrox fills at the dive centre, so you don't have to wait until your next trip to use your new qualification. Do the theory in the morning, dive Nitrox that afternoon at Grandé Island. The Aladin Sport computers on all our rental kit handle Nitrox programming out of the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — the SSI Enriched Air Nitrox certification is primarily theory-based. You complete academic sessions, dive planning exercises, and gas analysis training, but no additional open water dives are required for the certification itself. If you want to practice Nitrox diving, we can add optional dives to your schedule on the same day.
EANx32 has 32% oxygen (standard air is 21%). EANx36 has 36% oxygen. The higher the oxygen percentage, the more extended your NDLs at shallower depths — but the lower your maximum operating depth (MOD). EANx32 can be used to a MOD of about 34m. EANx36 to about 28m. The course teaches you to calculate and respect these limits.
On standard air at 18m, your NDL is approximately 56 minutes. On EANx32 at the same depth, your NDL extends to approximately 95 minutes — nearly double. At 12m (a common training depth), EANx32 gives essentially unlimited NDL for recreational dive durations. The difference becomes most significant on repetitive dive days.
Oxygen toxicity is real but easily avoided within recreational diving limits. The SSI EAN course teaches you exactly where those limits are (maximum PPO2 of 1.4 bar for diving, 1.6 bar absolute limit) and how to stay well within them using gas analysis and proper dive planning. Within these limits, Nitrox is safer than air from a decompression perspective.
Yes. Enriched Air Nitrox certifications from SSI and PADI are cross-recognised — PADI centres will fill Nitrox for SSI Nitrox certified divers and vice versa. The key is showing your certification card and performing a gas analysis before each dive, which is universal procedure regardless of agency.
Yes — the theory sessions take approximately half a day. We can schedule it on the morning of your first full day in Goa. If you have already done other diving with us and want to add Nitrox to your trip, we can often fit the theory session on a non-diving afternoon.
