Product Overview

Summary: This Nitrox Diving Procedures Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning and conducting nitrox dives safely in Australian workplaces. It focuses on oxygen exposure management, gas analysis, equipment compatibility, and emergency response, helping dive operations meet WHS obligations while protecting divers, supervisors, and clients.

Nitrox (enriched air) diving offers significant operational benefits, including extended bottom times and reduced nitrogen loading, but it also introduces specific hazards that must be tightly controlled in any Australian workplace diving operation. This Nitrox Diving Procedures SOP sets out a structured, repeatable system for assessing suitability for nitrox use, planning dives, analysing and labelling gas, configuring equipment, and monitoring oxygen exposure limits. It provides clear guidance for both commercial and recreational workplace diving environments, such as aquaculture, scientific research, construction, and tourism, where nitrox is used as part of normal operations.

The procedure is designed to support compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant diving standards by embedding risk management into everyday practice. It addresses common problem areas such as inconsistent gas analysis, inadequate recordkeeping, poor communication of gas mixes, and incorrect use of oxygen-compatible equipment. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, improve diver confidence, and reduce the likelihood of serious incidents such as oxygen toxicity, decompression illness, and equipment fires. The result is a safer, more professional, and more defensible nitrox diving program that supports sustainable business operations in marine and aquatic environments.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, safe planning and execution of nitrox dives across all sites and teams.
• Reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity, decompression illness, and gas-related incidents through structured controls.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS duties and Australian diving standards, supporting audits and regulator inspections.
• Standardise gas analysis, labelling, and recordkeeping to improve traceability and operational discipline.
• Strengthen diver training, briefings, and supervision, enhancing confidence and professionalism in nitrox operations.

Who is this for?

• Dive Operations Managers
• Commercial Diving Supervisors
• Occupational Divers
• Recreational Dive Centre Managers
• Dive Instructors and Dive Masters
• WHS Managers in Marine and Aquatic Operations
• Boat Skippers and Coxswains
• Hyperbaric and Dive Medical Advisors

Hazards Addressed

• Central nervous system (CNS) oxygen toxicity due to excessive partial pressure of oxygen (PPO2).
• Pulmonary oxygen toxicity from prolonged exposure to elevated oxygen levels.
• Decompression sickness from incorrect nitrox planning or gas mix assumptions.
• Gas contamination or incorrect gas mixtures due to poor analysis and labelling practices.
• Fire and explosion risks associated with handling high-pressure oxygen and oxygen-enriched systems.
• Equipment failure from using non-compatible or poorly maintained components with nitrox.
• Impaired decision-making and communication errors during dive planning and in-water operations.
• Manual handling and cylinder handling injuries on vessels, pontoons, and shore-based facilities.
• Environmental hazards such as currents, poor visibility, and cold stress interacting with nitrox-specific risks.

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (Nitrox, EANx, MOD, PPO2, CNS, OTU)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Organisational Policies
• 5.0 Risk Management for Nitrox Diving Operations
• 6.0 Nitrox Gas Supply, Mixing and Compressor Procedures
• 7.0 Cylinder Preparation, Cleaning and Oxygen Compatibility Requirements
• 8.0 Gas Analysis, Labelling and Documentation Requirements
• 9.0 Dive Planning with Nitrox (MOD, PPO2 Limits, CNS and OTU Tracking)
• 10.0 Pre-Dive Checks, Briefings and Verification of Gas Mix
• 11.0 In-Water Nitrox Diving Procedures and Monitoring
• 12.0 Post-Dive Procedures, Logging and Exposure Recording
• 13.0 Emergency Procedures (Oxygen Toxicity, DCS, Gas Contamination, Fire)
• 14.0 Equipment Inspection, Maintenance and Calibration (Analysers, Compressors, Cylinders)
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment for Nitrox Divers and Staff
• 16.0 Recordkeeping, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 17.0 References and Supporting Documents
• 18.0 Review and Revision History

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (Safe Work Australia), Part 4.8 – Diving Work
• AS/NZS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice
• AS/NZS 2299.2: Occupational diving operations – Scientific diving
• AS/NZS 2299.3: Occupational diving operations – Recreational industry diving and snorkelling operations
• AS 3848.2: Filling of portable gas cylinders – Filling of portable cylinders for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and non-underwater breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (reference for breathing gas management principles)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice (for compressors and gas systems)
• Relevant state and territory Work Health and Safety Acts and Regulations for diving work