I found CO in tanks

[TMHeimer]

I can't recall any past threads on people finding some CO in their tanks. Nor talk about CO analyzers, whereas analyzing O2% in nitrox is often discussed. To be honest, I've never given it much thought as I always get fills from very reputable shops. And you CAN'T smell it. I would think this is the norm for most divers. Is it risky to not own a CO analyzer?

 

[BoltSnap]

I can't recall any past threads on people finding some CO in their tanks. Nor talk about CO analyzers, whereas analyzing O2% in nitrox is often discussed. To be honest, I've never given it much thought as I always get fills from very reputable shops. And you can smell it. I would think this is the norm for most divers. Is it risky to not own a CO analyzer?

Oh boy, you need to have a serious talk with @DandyDon!!

 

[BoltSnap]

invacare homefill. super slow, but gives me 95% and pumps it up to 2400psi on the electric booster

Why would you want to use this device and not get O2 fill at your local medical gas supply company? I don't see the attraction unless you are on an island without access to O2.

 

[Umuntu]

I can't recall any past threads on people finding some CO in their tanks. Nor talk about CO analyzers, whereas analyzing O2% in nitrox is often discussed. To be honest, I've never given it much thought as I always get fills from very reputable shops. And you can smell it. I would think this is the norm for most divers. Is it risky to not own a CO analyzer?

I've always believed CO to be odourless.

 

[TMHeimer]

I've always believed CO to be odourless.

Sorry, my typo. Meant to say "can't". So the usual smell test wouldn't work.
I have read that a whole group of divers could go unconscious at once if they got fills at the same place. So I guess it could be just about as dangerous whether solo or with buddy.

 

[SoFlaDiver954]

I've always believed CO to be odourless.

... and colorless and tasteless.

 

[TMHeimer]

Oh boy, you need to have a serious talk with @DandyDon!!

I see what you mean--he apparently tests lots of stuff. I wonder how many people test their houses and elsewhere? I would imagine very few. The only thing I ever really thought about with CO was those committing suicide in the car/garage thing.

 

[Jonny Wishbone]

CO is an odorless and tasteless gas undetected by itself by human detection, however, exhaust fumes have an odor and probably can be tasted by some but the CO can remain in the gas after the filters and scrubber media removes the taste of all the other combustion gases in the case of exhaust. Wonder if they are using the wrong compressor oil. As far as naming the shop,,,just post the Lat and Long and we'll figure it out ourselves. After all, who's looking out for divers......other divers are so find a way to put it out there...As far as the suicide thing, the new trend is to put a bag over your head and run a hose from a store bought tank of Helium into it and tape off the neck. Helium does not trigger the reflex gasp for air. You just suffocate from no 02. I am in Law Enforcement and see this trend growing among the older folks believe it or not.

 

[Bruce_Partridge]

I got a CO monitor last year to go with my O2 monitor and have been analyzing both for the last year or so. So far I have found one tank that had 5 PPM. I had never seen anything but 0 before. There happened to be a doctor on the boat who said that that would be normal for a smoker, but his recommendation was still to get a different tank. The dive boat gave me different tank that measured 0, and we carried on.

 

[DandyDon]

The Grade E standard is 10 PPM max. I don't believe there is any medical evidence that 10 PPM is hazardous, although there's plenty of speculation that it could be.

In the US, yeah - but I would have to wonder: If the compressor is letting 6 ppm CO into tanks what else are they passing?

10ppm would not be a problem if you didn't dive. If you do submerge, increasing atmosphere, then the problem happens - and it's complicated. Even if you were fine at 130 feet breathing tainted air and loading up your blood with CO, as you ascend - PPO drops but PPCO remains much longer, so the PPO that was keeping you alive stops doing that as well.

Many developed countries limit the max to 5ppm, some 3ppm - for good reason. But fill stations seldom have inline CO monitors nor test.

Because if @49north names the shop, this thread will be moved to the "Thumbs Down" forum.

No, the reason a person needs to think twice about naming the provider is that law suits happen. Scubaboard once nearly got bankrupted by one. The accused was guilty and the lawsuit was frivolous, but it took a lot of money to establish that. The person posting the accusation may do so with a screen name, but s/he can still be sued.

To be honest, I've never given it much thought as I always get fills from very reputable shops.

Famous last words. Past performance is no indication. Compressors overheat, burn their own lubricating oil, and produce CO at times - maybe in only a few tanks. Ever play Russian Roulette with real bullets?

And you can smell it.

Not true, not in the least.

Is it risky to not own a CO analyzer?

The agencies don't even require than shops have their air tested. They used to, but it wasn't enforced, and besides - most shops would take samples only at the best times. Even then, 3% failed. 3 poison tanks out of 100?