About
Trimix Tools is a purpose-built dive planning and gas blending application designed for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Mac. Tailored for technical scuba divers, it enables precise calculation of Trimix, Helitrox, and other breathing gas blends before arriving at the dive shop or at the fill station. Divers can calculate the best Trimix mix for a planned depth based on desired maximum partial pressure of oxygen (PPO2) and equivalent narcotic depth (END). The app covers a full range of blending scenarios: filling an empty or partially filled cylinder, topping off an existing mix with a specified topping gas (air or another mix), and using the Bleed Down calculator to adjust an existing cylinder to a new mix with minimal wasted gas. It also computes ceiling depths, maximum depths, and contingency depths based on the planned mix. Dive planning tools support both salt water and fresh water environments, and all calculations can be performed in metric or Imperial/US units. Users can choose whether to treat oxygen as narcotic and customize safety warnings to their preferences. Completed calculations can be saved, quickly recalled, and shared with dive buddies. While Trimix Tools is a powerful reference tool, it is explicitly intended as a supplement to—not a replacement for—formal Trimix blending and dive planning training from agencies such as PADI, TDI/SDI, NAUI, or SSI.
Key Features
- Gas Blend Calculations: Calculate the precise Trimix, Helitrox, or Nitrox blend needed to fill a cylinder from empty or with a remaining mix, using oxygen, helium, and a topping gas.
- Bleed Down Calculator: Adjust an existing full or partially filled cylinder to a new target mix with minimal wasted gas using the integrated Bleed Down tool.
- Best Mix Optimizer: Automatically calculate the optimal Trimix blend for a given planned depth, maximum PPO2, and equivalent narcotic depth (END).
- Depth & Ceiling Calculations: Compute ceiling, maximum, and contingency depths along with END based on your planned gas mix for both salt and fresh water dives.
- Metric & Imperial Support: Perform all calculations in either metric or Imperial/US units, with customizable warnings and the option to treat oxygen as narcotic.
Use Cases
- Pre-dive Trimix gas blend planning before arriving at the dive shop or fill station.
- On-site cylinder filling calculations at the fill station for empty or partially filled tanks.
- Dive boat top-off calculations when mixing remaining tank gas with a boat compressor.
- Bleed-down adjustments to correct a filling mistake or fine-tune an existing cylinder mix.
- Depth and ceiling planning for technical dives based on PPO2 and END requirements.
Pros
- Comprehensive Blending Scenarios: Covers all major fill situations—empty fills, top-offs, and bleed-downs—making it useful both at the fill station and on the dive boat.
- Multi-Platform Apple Support: Available natively on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac, allowing divers to plan anywhere without requiring a separate device.
- Shareable Results: Divers can save, recall, and share calculation results directly with dive buddies, streamlining group dive planning.
Cons
- Apple Ecosystem Only: The app is limited to iOS and macOS platforms, leaving Android and Windows users without access.
- Niche Audience: Highly specialized for technical Trimix diving, making it irrelevant for recreational divers or those not using Trimix blends.
- Requires Prior Training: The app is a supplement to—not a replacement for—formal training; inexperienced users should not rely on it alone for safe diving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of gas blends can Trimix Tools calculate?
Trimix Tools supports standard Trimix, Helitrox, and topping mixes using oxygen, helium, and air. It handles empty fills, top-offs, and bleed-down adjustments.
Does Trimix Tools work for both metric and Imperial measurements?
Yes, all calculations in Trimix Tools can be performed in either metric or Imperial/US units, selectable within the app.
Can I use Trimix Tools on the dive boat?
Yes, Trimix Tools is designed to be used on the dive boat to calculate the expected final mix when topping off remaining gas with a boat compressor.
Is Trimix Tools a substitute for formal Trimix training?
No. The app explicitly states it is not a substitute for proper Trimix blending and dive planning training. It is a planning aid only.
Which platforms does Trimix Tools support?
Trimix Tools is available for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Mac (Apple platforms only).
