If you have the time to do Nitrox it will be helpful. Contrary to the normal
selling pitch that Nitrox can give you extra bottom time, it rarely works
out like that, because most dive boat operators ask you to limit your bottom
time to 30 or 40 minutes depending on the circumstances. In any case you
will probably run short on air before you run out of time on most
recreational dives.

However, in my book Nitrox is a major safety factor and will add a safety
margin for you, especially when you do multiple dives per day for a couple
of days in a row. Nitrox makes a big difference to your nitrogen uptake and
the result is that you are safer with Nitrox. So if you can, take the
course.

The value of nitrox depends on what it costs you, the kind of diving
you will be doing and your own preferences.  Generally speaking, people
breathe nitrox because it reduces the rate of nitrogen absorption.  You
get to stay down longer, without significant decompression time, than
would be possible on air.  The downside to nitrox is that it is not
suitable for deeper diveing.  Go deep enough and the oxygen in your
gas, even air, is toxic.  Part of the training is to help you
understand how deep you can go safely based on the amount of oxygen in
the gas.

There's no reason not to learn to use nitrox as part of your
introductory course, but also no particularly reason to include it.
Generally speaking, we suggest nitrox to those that find that they are
running out of no decompression time before they run out of breathing
gas.  Not all divers reach that point on a single dive or do enough
repetitive dives to make it an issue.

If you stick with diving, you will probably want to learn to use nitrox
eventually, but not necssarily now.  It's up to you.

I would venture to say, it's not useful at all.  It may, however, be
something you would enjoy.  Only you can decide.

We're not all tha impartial, but probably better than your average dive
shop.

You're welcome.

Lee

I would suggest that you first take your OW course, start diving and
gain experience. Then you can decide for yourself if nitrox is the thing
 for you.

For your first dives you anyway don't need nitrox...

I presume you will be learning around the Marbella / Feungirolla area,
there is not a lot to see down there. as opposed to further up the coast
and around the Medas Islands.
Do not worry about Nitrox at the moment it will be just a hindrance to you
getting your open water and advanced certification, it would be ok to do
once you have learned the basics of scuba diving, at the moment you need
to concentrate on learning the required skills which are not rocket
science. Once you have your cert you should spend as much time in the
water as you can. Just a little advice..........when you start your open
water, get your bouancy right.....it is the singlemost important thing to
get right, you should be able to pump air into your jacket (BCD) at any
depth and not sink, you need to be bouant without having to kick or use
your fins, once you have mastered your bouancy everything else will fall
into place, it gives you time to compose yourself and not have to worry
about "sinking".......as for the National Geographic, i tend to be a bit
cynical about this sort of thing.
Oh.....and dont be rushed into anything when your training.....do things
in your time......stress and peer pressure are the real killers.....if it
dont feel right.....dont do it.

www.seatreker.com
Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK