In contrast, the economics have changed dramatically. These days, price-conscious offshore construction buyers have caused saturation providers to install helium reclaim systems, cutting helium consumption by 80 to 90 percent, and greatly reducing this cost. Nitrox saturation, though, remains ignored, or even disdained. There are good reasons for commercial diving companies to ignore nitrox saturation. Nitrogen narcosis and high gas density limit nitrox to relatively shallow waters.
Heliox saturation works just as well in shallow as it does in deep waters.
Decompression from nitrox takes longer than heliox at the same depth, and there have been several bad decompression experiences from deep nitrox saturations. Apparently, any cost or simplicity advantages available from nitrogen just do not overcome the disadvantages. Perhaps, though, we just have not given it adequate consideration. Nitrox saturation requires consideration of three issues that do not trouble heliox saturation. The first of these is inert gas narcosis.