Technical training

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.

Cave diving, represented by an AI-generated editorial image.

Track	Technical
Prerequisites	Nitrox certification; Advanced Open Water or equivalent; Typically a minimum number of logged dives
Agency equivalents	TDI: Advanced Nitrox · PADI: Tec 40/45 · IANTD: Advanced Nitrox · RAID: Deco 40

What it teaches

oxygen exposure limits and CNS tracking
decompression gas selection and maximum operating depth
gas switching procedures and verification
oxygen-clean equipment requirements
analysing and labelling multiple gases
equipment configuration for stage cylinders

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.

Where this qualification matters in Australia

Sites where holding this certification genuinely changes what you can do — not a list of everywhere it is accepted.

Port Phillip Heads WallsWalls starting at 12 metres and continuing beyond 90 — the terrain behind Victoria's technical culture.Ships' GraveyardNumerous vessels deliberately scuttled outside Port Phillip Bay across a wide depth range.SS NordA steamer lost in 1915, lying around 42 metres off the Tasman Peninsula.Kilsby's SinkholeA limestone sinkhole with water so clear the experience is closer to flying than diving.

Natural next steps

Courses that build directly on this one.

Decompression ProceduresPlanning and executing dives with a mandatory decompression obligation.Trimix DiverAdding helium to manage narcosis, oxygen exposure and gas density at depth.Closed Circuit Rebreather DiverRecycling breathing gas to extend duration, reduce bubbles and optimise oxygen exposure.Sidemount DiverCarrying cylinders at your sides — redundancy, streamlining and access through restrictions.

Courses that lead here

Enriched Air NitroxDiving with elevated oxygen to extend no-decompression limits — the most commonly taken specialty.Deep DiverExtending recreational limits to 40 metres, with the gas planning and narcosis awareness that requires.Wreck DiverDiving wrecks safely, and understanding where external touring ends and penetration begins.Drysuit DiverUsing a drysuit as a second buoyancy system — essential for serious cold-water diving in southern Australia.Cavern DiverDiving within the light zone of an overhead environment — the first genuine step into overhead training.Sidemount DiverCarrying cylinders at your sides — redundancy, streamlining and access through restrictions.

Agency versions of this course

The same qualification under different names. All are mutually recognised by operators.

TDITaught as “Advanced Nitrox”.PADITaught as “Tec 40/45”.IANTDTaught as “Advanced Nitrox”.RAIDTaught as “Deco 40”.

Centres documented as offering this level of training

Businesses where the relevant capability is verified or advertised. Always confirm the specific course directly.

Dive Dive DiveA long-standing Brisbane business associated with technical training alongside recreational courses, retail and servicing. Technical capability should be audited service by service rather than assumed.Dive Centre ManlyA Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.Frog Dive SydneyA long-established Sydney business associated with recreational and technical training alongside retail and workshop services.Abyss Scuba DivingA Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.Dive Centre BondiAn Eastern Suburbs operation providing recreational training, local diving and technical pathways.Academy of ScubaA Melbourne training business offering recreational courses with technical pathways.Diveline Scuba CentreA Victorian business associated with technical training and gas support alongside recreational courses.AquabilityA Victorian operation associated with technical diving training. Exact agency, course levels and gas support require verification.Bay City ScubaA Victorian business associated with recreational and technical training alongside equipment and gas services.Ocean DiversA Victorian operation associated with recreational and technical training and access to Port Phillip diving.Snorkel & Dive Safari AltonaA Melbourne retail and training business, listed among Victorian operations associated with technical services.All About ScubaA Victorian training operation listed among those associated with technical diving. Capability requires verification.

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.