Depth
0m
Advanced Zone · Specialty

Dive Longer.
Dive Smarter.

SSI Enriched Air Nitrox lets you breathe a gas mixture with up to 40% oxygen: significantly extending your no-decompression limits and giving you more time exploring Malta's wrecks and reefs.

Certified by SSI
Dry Course From
69+94SSI eLearning
Total all-inclusive: €163  ·  With dives: €279
SSI eLearning licence (€94)
Full equipment included
Open water dives optional (dry course available)
SSI certification card
diveshack instructor
Book via WhatsApp

or email

10+
Min Age
22–40%
O₂ Range
1 Day
Duration
Optional
OW Dives

More bottom time. Less surface interval.

Nitrox, also called Enriched Air (EANx), is any gas mixture containing more oxygen than standard air's 21%. At diveshack Malta, we work with any mix from 22% to 40% oxygen, planned to suit the dive profile.

By increasing the oxygen content, you reduce the proportion of nitrogen in every breath. Less nitrogen means slower nitrogen absorption, which translates directly into longer no-decompression limits on every dive. Dive to 28m on EANx36 and your NDL is significantly extended compared to air.

  • Dive longer on every dive with extended no-decompression limits
  • Reduce surface interval time between dives
  • Safer nitrogen management across multi-dive days
  • Use Nitrox on any future certified dive trip worldwide
  • Understand gas analysis and oxygen toxicity management
SSI

SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver

diveshack Malta: SSI Diamond ITC

Level Specialty
O₂ Range 22%–40% O₂
Gas Mixes Any EANx 22%–40% to plan
Open Water 2 dives
Duration 1 day
Certified by SSI (Scuba Schools International)
Course Structure

One day. Two phases.

The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox course is designed to be completed in a single day. Study the digital theory at your own pace before you arrive, then complete two open water dives with your diveshack instructor.

Phase 01

Knowledge Development

Complete the SSI digital materials on your phone, tablet or laptop before the course day. Covers the science and safety of diving on enriched air.

  • SSI digital materials (app or tablet)
  • Oxygen toxicity theory and CNS limits
  • Gas analysis procedures
  • Planning dives with EANx tables
  • CNS oxygen clock tracking
  • Partial pressure calculations
Phase 02

Open Water Dives (optional)

Two open water dives breathing EANx at diveshack's local sites — included in the standard course. Not required for the Dry Course: academic and eLearning completion alone qualifies you to use Enriched Air.

  • 2 open water dives on EANx
  • Pre-dive gas analysis demonstration
  • Nitrox dive planning in practice
  • Extended NDL monitoring at depth
  • Full debrief and logbook sign-off
What's Included

Everything included

SSI Digital Materials

Full SSI Enriched Air Nitrox digital learning materials. Study at your own pace via the SSI app or browser before course day.

All Dive Equipment

BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, computer and Nitrox-analysed cylinders. Everything you need for both open water dives.

2 Open Water Dives

Two guided dives at diveshack's local Malta dive sites. Dived on EANx32 or EANx36 with your instructor alongside.

SSI Certification Card

Digital SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver card issued on the day of completion. Worldwide recognition, valid with any EANx up to 40% O₂.

What you need before you start

The Nitrox course is open to any certified Open Water Diver. No additional prerequisites are required.

  • ✓ OKOpen Water Diver certified: any agency accepted
  • ✓ OKAge 10 or over
  • NOTEMedical clearance: standard dive medical form required
Agency equivalents accepted: RAID, CMAS, BSAC, PADI and all approved RSTC member agencies. Bring your certification card and logbook.

Is this course right for you?

Perfect if you...

  • Are already certified and want more from every dive
  • Are planning a liveaboard or dive holiday
  • Regularly dive Malta's deeper sites at 20m+
  • Want to reduce surface intervals between dives

Not required for: Try Scuba or Basic Diver participants. Nitrox is a post-certification upgrade for qualified divers.

Pricing

Course options

With Dives
185+94SSI eLearning

Total all-inclusive: €279

  • SSI eLearning licence (€94)
  • Full equipment included
  • 2 supervised open water dives
  • Gas analysis equipment
  • SSI certification card
  • diveshack instructor
Group
POA
  • SSI eLearning licence included
  • Full equipment included
  • Dry or with dives available
  • Discounts for 3 or more divers
  • Flexible scheduling

All prices include VAT · 50% deposit required to book your place · Balance due on Day 1 · See cancellation policy in FAQ

Why diveshack

Malta's SSI Diamond Instructor Training Centre

SSI
DIAMOND
ITC

diveshack Malta: SSI Diamond ITC

The highest SSI facility rating. TC #735644. Awarded to centres that consistently meet the highest standards of instruction, safety and student satisfaction.

MTA
LICENSED

Malta Tourism Authority Licensed

Fully licensed dive operator under the MTA. All instructors hold current SSI ratings and valid first aid certifications.

IDN
GROUP

IDN Group Member

Part of the IDN global dive network. Emergency oxygen and first aid equipment on site and on every boat.

FAQ

Common questions about the Nitrox course

What is Enriched Air Nitrox?
Enriched Air Nitrox is any breathing gas mixture containing more than 21% oxygen, the amount found in normal air. Common mixes are EANx32 (32% oxygen) and EANx36 (36% oxygen). By increasing the oxygen percentage, you reduce the nitrogen percentage. Less nitrogen absorbed per breath means slower saturation of your tissues, which extends your no-decompression limits compared to diving on air.
Do I need to be Open Water certified?
Yes. You must hold a minimum Open Water Diver certification from any recognised agency (SSI, RAID, CMAS, BSAC, PADI and all approved RSTC member agencies are accepted). If you are not yet certified, take a look at our SSI Open Water Diver course first.
How long does the course take?
One full day. The digital theory is completed at your own pace before you arrive: most students finish it in 2 to 3 hours on the evening before. On the course day you will complete two open water dives with your instructor. Most students are certified and back at the dock before 17:00.
Can I use Nitrox on any dive after certification?
Yes. Your SSI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver card is recognised worldwide by SSI, PADI, CMAS and all major agencies. It qualifies you to dive with any EANx mix up to 40% oxygen at any certified dive centre globally. You will need to analyse your own gas (using the dive centre's analyser) and label your cylinder before each dive: exactly as taught in the course.
Is Nitrox safe?
Very safe when used correctly, and the course teaches you exactly how to do that. The main risk with Nitrox is oxygen toxicity, a central nervous system convulsion that can occur if you exceed the oxygen partial pressure limit of 1.4 bar PO₂. The course teaches you how to calculate your maximum operating depth for any mix, how to track your CNS oxygen clock across multiple dives, and how to stay comfortably within those limits. At Malta's recreational depths, there is a wide safety margin when diving EANx32 or EANx36.
What is the maximum depth with Nitrox?
When diving EANx36, the richer of our two standard mixes, the maximum operating depth is 28m at 1.4 bar PO₂. This keeps your partial pressure of oxygen within the safe 1.4 bar PO₂ limit recommended for recreational diving. On EANx32 the maximum operating depth is 33m at 1.4 bar PO₂. The certification qualifies you to dive with any EANx mix up to 40% oxygen to a maximum depth of 30m.

Book Enriched Air Nitrox

Locationdiveshack, Sliema, Malta
Duration1-2 days (dry option: 1 day)
Group SizeMax 4 per instructor
Price from€69 course + €94 eLearning (dry) · €185 + €94 with dives
Deposit50% to book your place

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