nitrox equipment
#1
Posted 26 February 2007 - 11:16 PM
I'd like to eventually try nitrox.
any FAQ/must read references on nitrox equipment?
do most people have a dedicated setup for nitrox or is there gear that will do both?
(I"m thinking once you have your gear set up for nitrox, you wouldn't want to use it for regular air at the risk of contaminating it.)
any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
#2
Posted 26 February 2007 - 11:19 PM
#3
Posted 26 February 2007 - 11:43 PM
#4
Posted 26 February 2007 - 11:58 PM
#5
Posted 27 February 2007 - 12:01 AM
So can't use nitrox below 110 eh? Alrighty.
Might want to be cautious using those titanium regs around enriched air nitrox, they don't mix well at ALL.
#6
Posted 27 February 2007 - 12:34 AM
#7
Posted 27 February 2007 - 12:38 AM
This is also why the depth you can go on Nitrox varies depending on the blend.
#8
Posted 27 February 2007 - 01:12 AM
It would be nice if the overdoes of oxygen simply rendered you unconscious. Carbon dioxide does that. Nice and peaceful..
CONVENTID is a word you'll hopefully hear in Nitrox class and its a shortened word that describes what happens in an oxygen toxicity event. The CONV portion at the beginning of that word stands for convulsion. Because that is what happens. You'll convulse, spit out your reg, may swallow your tongue, and eventually drown. Ugly stuff.
So, be careful the mix you use when you dive nitrox. And yes, it can be taken below 100 or even 110ft. I dove nitrox on the Oriskany at nearly 125ft, and could have gone to the deck at 135.
As you'll learn in your nitrox class, be DARN SURE, you know what's in your tanks. Analyzing the gas in your tanks is crucial. Marking your tanks properly is also crucial. If anyone tells you that these two steps can safely be ignored, RUN from them. Check the mix. EVERY time.
#9
Posted 27 February 2007 - 05:39 AM
Good questions - as far as training goes - I think you've heard the message - go get some.any FAQ/must read references on nitrox equipment?
do most people have a dedicated setup for nitrox or is there gear that will do both?
(I"m thinking once you have your gear set up for nitrox, you wouldn't want to use it for regular air at the risk of contaminating it.)
any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
For your equipment - the simple answer is recreational nitrox (i.e. less than 40% O2) can be used on virtually any non-titanium reg. There are as Perrone stated, some issues around Titanium you should really understand before making that investment decision.
Higher concentrations of O2 require regs (and all of your other stuff attached to your 1st stage) that are "O2 clean" which means all of the components are safe in a pure O2 environment - this means an exceptionally thorough overhaul and cleaning, with O2 compatible o-rings and grease. I think there may be gear on the market that is O2 safe out of the box, but everyone I know who has gone down this road started by overhauling their current gear.
You can switch between air and nitrox mixes without worry about "contaminating" your gear, it's not the air that will contaminate, it would be the introduction of a non-O2 compatible grease, a replacement o-ring or a flammable contaminant.
You should focus on buying a reg that will serve your needs - now and in the future. If you're attracted to technical diving, ice diving, caving etc. you'll need to work with some of the experts to carefully choose based on the demands of those environments.
Edited by Capn Jack, 27 February 2007 - 05:55 AM.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
#10
Posted 27 February 2007 - 05:46 AM
As you'll learn in your nitrox class, be DARN SURE, you know what's in your tanks. Analyzing the gas in your tanks is crucial. Marking your tanks properly is also crucial. If anyone tells you that these two steps can safely be ignored, RUN from them. Check the mix. EVERY time.
If your nitrox class teaches you NOTHING but the point that PerroneFord made, you are fine!
This is the MOST important part of Nitrox. In fact, my dive center (and I'm sure others) will NOT label a nitrox tank. When you come to pick it up, they MAKE you analsys the mix yourself. Then you mark the tank in front of them and sign a log book. It's a great practice. Of course, only the Nitrox certified diver actually using the tank can pick them up from the shop.
Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great.
#11
Posted 27 February 2007 - 07:07 AM
most of the pre-post reading I did was reinforced here (dive levels, % mix and Verification being #1)
I didn't see too much info about the hardware part.
so I'm understanding that as long as the 1st stage is compatable with nitrox and your equipment is maintained accordingly, it should be a non issue changing back and forth between it and regular air. (?)
are there any precautions on the 2nd, octo, bcd & spg ?
my computer will already do nitrox
#12
Posted 27 February 2007 - 08:17 AM
Going back and forth between air and nitrox is a non issue too.
Edited by matts1w, 27 February 2007 - 08:18 AM.
#13
Posted 27 February 2007 - 08:42 AM
When I was looking at equipment I looked to make sure they were EAN 40 compatible as I wanted to go that path (and did). I did find gear that was not nitrox compatible. You have to read the specs on the models you are looking at to make sure they do allow it. Some equipment manufacturers specify NOT to use >21% in the small print or your warranty is voided. Same goes for all your gear that uses HP or LP air.As far as "recreational nitrox" (for lack of a better term) i.e. mixes 40% and lower, any reg set made in the last few years is fine...including the 1st stage, both 2nd stages, spg, hoses, as well as you BCD. You may want to check with the retailer as perscribed in many nitrox textbooks, but no worries.
Going back and forth between air and nitrox is a non issue too.
Knowing the limits of your gear before you get wet will ensure a safer dive. Waiting until you are at 80 feet before finding out something does not work is not recommended.
Tech Support - The hard we do right away; the impossible takes us a little longer...
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#14
Posted 27 February 2007 - 09:02 AM
They must be O2 cleaned.
If your LDS blends while filling it is not a problem.
Some shops do this MOST shops DO NOT ~ So to get a Nitrox fill you must have dedicated Nitrox tanks... Cleaned and stickered.[i]
Most shops put the Oxygen in first and that requires a cleaned tank and compatible O-rings.
I have never had a problem switching between air and Nitrox with my regs.
It has already been stated but let me repeat the information (Perrone you are fabulous )
Nitrox is NOT for every dive. If you are going deep you might want to consider a different gas mix.
Most important thing is to check the mix yourself.
Then you can calculate your max depth for each tank.
You must remember to check each tank.
Just because they were filled at the same time does not mean they have the same blend.
I stick a piece of duct tape on the tank.
Write the date, mix % and the max depth right on the tape with a sharpie....I even initial it to remind myself that I checked it myself.
That way when I get to the dive site ~ there is no question of which tank was 32% and which was 34%.
If you are planning on diving Nitrox the class is a MUST do.
Edited by gis_gal, 27 February 2007 - 09:03 AM.
Formerly known as gis_gal and name tattoo'd for a small bribe!
#15
Posted 27 February 2007 - 09:22 AM
When I was looking at equipment I looked to make sure they were EAN 40 compatible as I wanted to go that path (and did). I did find gear that was not nitrox compatible. You have to read the specs on the models you are looking at to make sure they do allow it. Some equipment manufacturers specify NOT to use >21% in the small print or your warranty is voided. Same goes for all your gear that uses HP or LP air.
Knowing the limits of your gear before you get wet will ensure a safer dive. Waiting until you are at 80 feet before finding out something does not work is not recommended.
I would be interested to see who is voiding their warrenty when using nitrox with their gear.
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