EAD — Equivalent Air Depth

Equivalent Air Depth (EAD) is a calculation that shows how much nitrogen your body absorbs. It uses your gas mix to find a nitrogen-equivalent depth. This concept matters because it changes how your computer tracks deco limits.

Divers use EAD when they breathe Nitrox instead of air. For example, breathing EAN32 at 30 m feels like breathing air at 26 m. This reduction in depth lowers your nitrogen load. Most dive computers calculate this automatically during the dive.

You must check your settings carefully. A common mistake is entering the wrong percentage into your computer because it ruins your safety margins. Always verify your gas mix manually before you descend below 18 m. Accuracy saves lives.