New to Nitrox - Do I need to buy an O2 Analyzer?

[jdg]

I am shocked how many people say they have their own analyzer. How many of you that own your own change the sensor each year? I bet most reputable places have done so. I feel, and I do a lot of nitrox. Please just fill at reputable place use their units calibrate on air then test your unit. If you really trust drop from 1.6 to 1.4

 

[scubafanatic]

I am shocked how many people say they have their own analyzer. How many of you that own your own change the sensor each year? I bet most reputable places have done so. I feel, and I do a lot of nitrox. Please just fill at reputable place use their units calibrate on air then test your unit. If you really trust drop from 1.6 to 1.4

I own a stainless steel screw cap that fits over the sensor inlet hole to keep the sensor air tight when not in use, this prevents the sensor from being exposed to oxygen while in storage and preserves the life of the sensor.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I like having my own analyzer, not having to participate in the mad rush, pre dive mob scene where a bunch of divers are all trying to hunt down and then wait in line for the 'group' analyzer to be passed around.....hate that 'being in a rush' feeling, ......or trying to hunt down the 'group' analyzer that someone set down somewhere and now can't be located !

For the OP's benefit, let me mention that oftentimes the analyzer in the dive shop is mounted on the wall, so there is no passing it around. Some bigger operations might have two or even three analyzers mounted on the wall. Divers stand in line and wait their turn to use the analyzer(s). Don't worry--even if you're last in line, the boat is not going to leave without you. And if you're on a liveaboard, the boat is definitely not going to leave without you.

 

[fdarden]

I have seen many, many dive shop analyzers that are way out of calibration or have bad sensors or just never work right. Some shops do have analyzers that work great, but you cant count on that. In addition, you never know where you might be getting a fill or renting a filled tank.. I personally like to have a known, trusted source for my gas analysis. If the analyzer is reading "37" I want to know in my hear of hearts that its 37, and not somewhere around that.. Owning your own analyzer will bring you peace of mind, and true quality gas analysis if you do it right. If you stop and think about it, even someone diving air only can benefit from an analyzer. Owning your own analyzer can also save you time and headache. Example - Early in my Nitrox career I somehow had a label peel off a tank in transit, and I could not say with absolute certainty what was in the tank. Luckily I had time to schlep to a near by dive shop, and analyze the tank and make it back to the boat in time to make the dive. In many cases I would have had to call the dive. I bought my analyzer the day after this incident. There is no replacement for owning and knowing how to use your own analyzer. the consequences just are not worth the few hundred dollars a good analyzer will cost. Also, on this same note, I would strongly consider a CO analyzer as well. It does not pay to cheap out on the fundamental tools of diving and I believe always being certain of what you are breathing is worth spending your money on.

 

[jdg]

No more required

No, you don't need one because any operation offering nitrox must have one. If you are only diving a few times a year, you will not get your money's worth out of a sensor. It will need to be replaced after a few years regardless.

If you feel like you must have one, then go for it.

BTW, I sell them!

 

[Mustard Dave]

I am shocked how many people say they have their own analyzer. How many of you that own your own change the sensor each year? I bet most reputable places have done so. I feel, and I do a lot of nitrox. Please just fill at reputable place use their units calibrate on air then test your unit. If you really trust drop from 1.6 to 1.4

Who are you saying you should trust more? A dive shop or yourself? The only person I trust is me.

Why would changing once a year guarantee reliability? I have had cells on my CCR go tits-up after four dives. When cells fail, they tend to go current limited and reach a point where the output stays constant irrespective of the amount of O2 they are exposed to. CCR divers often flush the loop with O2 at 6m to check they can see a ppO2 of 1.6, instead of the 1.3 they see at high set-point on the dive or the maximum 1.0 on the surface, which is the maximum you'll see if you analyse pure O2.

 

[jdg]

Who are you saying you should trust more? A dive shop or yourself? The only person I trust is me.

Why would changing once a year guarantee reliability? I have had cells on my CCR go tits-up after four dives. When cells fail, they tend to go current limited and reach a point where the output stays constant irrespective of the amount of O2 they are exposed to. CCR divers often flush the loop with O2 at 6m to check they can see a ppO2 of 1.6, instead of the 1.3 they see at high set-point on the dive or the maximum 1.0 on the surface, which is the maximum you'll see if you analyse pure O2.

Umm. I think the OP is talking basic 32-36 fills? non tecH. If I am going down to 80-100 feet on nitrox. A reputable dive shop. They should have what is needed no? My drop was just a basic safe on nitrox.

My safe drop ref: was just if you are not 100% shure and even with bad currents you don't want to play with limits to much

Now at the level your talking? You are in a whole different league. YOU have to do it your way!!!!!

Regards.

 

[Mustard Dave]

Umm. I think the OP is talking basic 32-36 fills? non tecH. If I am going down to 80-100 feet on nitrox. A reputable dive shop. They should have what is needed no? My drop was just a basic safe on nitrox.

My safe drop ref: was just if you are not 100% shure and even with bad currents you don't want to play with limits to much

Now at the level your talking? You are in a whole different league. YOU have to do it your way!!!!!

Regards.

So recreational divers don't need to adhere to MODs? A recreational diver at their maximum qualification depth on EANx36 would see a ppO2 of 1.8, besides, the issue isn't what you plan to breathe - it's knowing what you are actually breathing.

 

[jdg]

So recreational divers don't need to adhere to MODs? A recreational diver at their maximum qualification depth on EANx36 would see a ppO2 of 1.8, besides, the issue isn't what you plan to breathe - it's knowing what you are actually breathing.

With all respect. He is just an OW with a basic question. He might be diving 10 times a year. YOu are a tech diver! You are in Manchester which says a hell of a lot of the type of diving you do! You are far above the norm, and in no way am I willing to argue with your experience.

My diving is all advanced open and cold/ice fresh water very, very limited visibility. Lots of currents. Except when I go to the south in the ocean not fresh water. I am only up to a few dives now. I don't log either. If I do not trust the place I don't fill at the place.

regards,

sir

---------- Post added November 12th, 2014 at 09:47 PM ----------

I have seen many, many dive shop analyzers that are way out of calibration or have bad sensors or just never work right. Some shops do have analyzers that work great, but you cant count on that. In addition, you never know where you might be getting a fill or renting a filled tank.. I personally like to have a known, trusted source for my gas analysis. If the analyzer is reading "37" I want to know in my hear of hearts that its 37, and not somewhere around that.. Owning your own analyzer will bring you peace of mind, and true quality gas analysis if you do it right. If you stop and think about it, even someone diving air only can benefit from an analyzer. Owning your own analyzer can also save you time and headache. Example - Early in my Nitrox career I somehow had a label peel off a tank in transit, and I could not say with absolute certainty what was in the tank. Luckily I had time to schlep to a near by dive shop, and analyze the tank and make it back to the boat in time to make the dive. In many cases I would have had to call the dive. I bought my analyzer the day after this incident. There is no replacement for owning and knowing how to use your own analyzer. the consequences just are not worth the few hundred dollars a good analyzer will cost. Also, on this same note, I would strongly consider a CO analyzer as well. It does not pay to cheap out on the fundamental tools of diving and I believe always being certain of what you are breathing is worth spending your money on.

But you need the base line test from a tank of air to know its calibrated? What tank are you using? if it is from the same shop, how do you know that is good at 21% might be off!!!!!

---------- Post added November 12th, 2014 at 09:54 PM ----------

To original OP, When you take your course for nitrox, and please start there!!!!
You will find out very fast the first thing you must do is take a tank of air!!! put the tester up to it and slowly open the valve. Adjust the unit until it gets to about 21% you will be given the figures. Then test your tank to know exactly what you have. This is done at the shop not on the boat!!!! Every time you use the tester it must be done this way if you want an accurate reading.

Every time you use the reader it must be calibrated

 

[KeithG]

I own a stainless steel screw cap that fits over the sensor inlet hole to keep the sensor air tight when not in use, this prevents the sensor from being exposed to oxygen while in storage and preserves the life of the sensor.

Interesting concept. Do you have any scientific references that support this claim? Marketing BS wins again!

The screw cap will most likely prevent entrance of "most" of the fresh air (i doubt the cap actually is air tight and the rest of the tester body definitely is not) but it will do nothing to "remove" the air that is trapped behind the screw. And the air inside is not being eliminated. So the sensor is still in full time contact with air. Sorry, no free lunch.

The screw cap is likely a very good idea to prevent contaminants like sand, mayonnaise and beer getting on your sensor. but it will not be very effective at what you claim. unless you manage to encapsulate the sensor in a vacuum, it will be constantly exposed to air.

Please stop listening to marketing speak from people who don't have a clue.

---------- Post added November 12th, 2014 at 10:08 PM ----------

But you need the base line test from a tank of air to know its calibrated? What tank are you using? if it is from the same shop, how do you know that is good at 21% might be off!!!!!

Tank? Why do you need a "tank". Most of us have easy access to a very large supply of virgin EAN 21. We get it "fresh". No need to get "stale" stuff from a tank.