Diving using EANx with SCUBA

EANx diving does not take place unless an EANx dive supervisor is present at the dive site
Only a certificated EANx scuba diver undertakes recreational scuba diving using EANx unless the diver is undertaking -
- training for the purpose of certification as an EANx scuba diver in accordance with this code
- an introductory dive experience and the diver is accompanied by an EANx dive instructor
PPO₂ exposure times are not exceeded
Maximum depth of a dive is based on the PPO₂ for the specific EANx breathing mixture used and does not exceed 1.6 bar PPO₂
Before a breathing mixture is used, the diver conducts a gas analysis to verify the oxygen content. The results should be recorded in the EANx dive safety log and on the cylinder

EANx qualifications

An EANx dive instructor should:

be trained and certificated by a recreational technical diving training organisation to instruct in EANx diving
be a certificated recreational scuba diving instructor
have instructed and certificated at least 25 entry-level or higher level divers
be qualified as an EANx diver
have completed 20 EANx dives.

An EANx dive supervisor should be:

trained and certificated by a recreational scuba training organisation to supervise diving
qualified as an EANx diver.

Before a trainee undertakes a course in recreational scuba diving using EANx, the trainee should:

Before a trainee is issued with EANX diving certificate, the trainee should complete a course in EANx and have done two open-water dives using EANx.

The equipment an EANx diver should use includes:

A more complete list of equipment is available in section 2.1.5 of the Industry Code of Practice for Recreational Technical Diving.

Divers should be advised about:

the dive plan
the maximum depth for the breathing gas and loss of breathing gas procedures
buddy separation procedures
emergency procedures, including the location of and contact procedures for the nearest recompression facilities
checking the position and correct operation of their own equipment and that of their buddy's.

Employers or self-employed people should ensure that:

compressed air cylinders are filled, tested, operated and maintained according to
- the manufacturers' instructions; and to
- AS 3848.2:1999 Filling of portable gas cylinders - Filling of portable cylinders for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and non-underwater self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) - Safe procedures (non-Queensland Government link)
water content in the cylinders is monitored and the cylinders are checked and cleaned at regular intervals to prevent or minimise corrosion of the inner surface and to clean out any residues of corrosion
on any day that compressed air cylinders are being used, samples of the air in the cylinders are 'sniff' tested to ensure the air has no objectionable or nauseous odour
cylinders contain:
- not more than 5 ppm pf carbon monoxide
- not more than 480 ppm of carbon dioxide or 900 mg/m³
- not more than 0.3 mg/m³ of oil
- cylinders are not filled to a pressure that exceeds the lesser of the working pressure ratings of either the valve, yoke or cylinder.

Compressors used to fill compressed gas cylinders should:

be designed specifically for the purpose of filling compressed gas cylinders used by underwater divers
be tested for gas quality, and operated and maintained according to manufacturers' instructions
be positioned so only clean, uncontaminated gas is taken into the compressor
have filters which are in sound working order to effectively remove contaminants from entering the cylinders. (Water content of the gas reduces the effectiveness and life of the filters).

For more information on diving using EANx with SCUBA, read section 2.1 of the Code of Practice for Recreational Technical Diving.

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