Another Nitrox Question

[DanielReyer]

I am planning on getting my nitrox certification this summer. From what I have read, I need to purchase a separate tank for use with nitrox only that is o2 cleaned. I also recently got a new set of regs - Mares Proton Ice and Proton Ice Octo. Can I use my regs with both air and nitrox or do I need a separate set of regs to use with nitrox only? Thanks in advance for answering my questions.

Dan

 

[Otter]

Your Nitrox class will go over this, but the answer to your questions is maybe and yes.

The issue with have O2 cleaned gear is the presence of high concentrations of oxygen coming in contact with the gear. Now without going into some of the estoteric discussions of what that % of oxygen is (read CGA standards), the generally accepted and taught standard is oxygen concentrations of 40% of less can be largely treated the same as air. Therefore, subject to your manufacturer's recommendations, which I haven't read, generally regs produced in the last 10 years are nitrox ready to 40%.

The issue of your tanks is slightly more complicated. There are three primary ways of filling your tanks with nitrox. One of those ways, partial-pressure blending, begins by filling the tank with 100% O2 and then diluting it with air (very clean air). Because there is 100% O2 in the tank during this process, you would need an O2 cleaned tank. So the answer comes down to how you will get your nitrox. If you get your nitrox from different sources (e.g., boats, different shops, etc...) its best just to have a tank dedicated to Nitrox.

 

[pete340]

Therefore, subject to your manufacturer's recommendations, which I haven't read, generally regs produced in the last 10 years are nitrox ready to 40%.

And just to close the loop: recreational diving with Nitrox typically uses 32%. PADI's Nitrox certification authorizes you up to 40%. Funny how the equipment rating matches that...

 

[Tobagoman]

One little caveat to the above; If you have your tanks and regs O2 cleaned and then use them with regular air that is not EANx certified then it voids the O2 cleaning on the gear and it must be recleaned before it regains that designation.

One thing that I never hear talked about though is O2 cleaning a BCD.

 

[murphdivers286]

Most regulators today can by used with air and nitrox up to 40% with out special cleaning. I have an Atomic B2 which the manufacturer states I can use my reg with regular air or nitrox up to 40% with out any special cleaning. I don't know about your Mares regs. I tried to look up information on the Mares site, but there was nothing I could find about nitrox.

Your tanks have to be O2 cleaned because of PP fills like Otter stated above. I hope some of this helps.

 

[TwoTanks]

One little caveat to the above; If you have your tanks and regs O2 cleaned and then use them with regular air that is not EANx certified then it voids the O2 cleaning on the gear and it must be recleaned before it regains that designation.

This is all true but, a nitrox class only certifies you up to 40% nitrox. For 40% nitrox nothing needs to be O2 clean, unless the tanks are filled by partial pressure blending and even then only the tank and valve need to be O2 clean.

O2 clean regs are not required unless you are using over EAN 40% and that would be advanced nitrox.

One thing that I never hear talked about though is O2 cleaning a BCD.

Nothing needs to be O2 clean unless it will come in contact with O2 over 40% at high pressure. Since you fill the BC at intermediate pressure (about 140PSI) It does not need to be O2 clean. (I'm sure someone will disagree) Reguardless, unless you are inflating your BC from a deco bottle, you will probably never get over 40% O2 into the BC anyhow. How often does anyone use EAN50 as a back gas?

Bottom line: As a nitrox diver you may need an O2 clean tank, depending on what methood you LDS uses to fill the tank. Nothing else needs to be O2 clean.

TT

 

[Jawbone]

If you decide to have a tank O2 cleaned for nitrox you can still use air for fills also as long as the air is hyperclean or Grade E air. By getting air fills like this it will not void the O2 cleaning.

 

[mart1]

I am planning on getting my nitrox certification this summer. From what I have read, I need to purchase a separate tank for use with nitrox only that is o2 cleaned. I also recently got a new set of regs - Mares Proton Ice and Proton Ice Octo. Can I use my regs with both air and nitrox or do I need a separate set of regs to use with nitrox only? Thanks in advance for answering my questions.

Dan

One other thing to remember: if your tank is not marked as a nitrox tank someone could take it by mistake and use it thinking it containes air. So even if it is not clean and you do not fill it by partial pressure, be sure to mark your tank as NITROX

mart

 

[lamont]

One other thing to remember: if your tank is not marked as a nitrox tank someone could take it by mistake and use it thinking it containes air. So even if it is not clean and you do not fill it by partial pressure, be sure to mark your tank as NITROX

mart

And how many non-nitrox-certified divers out there have rented AL80s with the nitrox stickers on them that contained air? Could someone take a nitrox-banded tank by mistake and still think it contains air? Does this actually prevent anything, or should divers be taught to know their tank and tank contents from day 1?

 

[Wijbrandus]

I am not nitrox certified, and I've never been given a tank marked "nitrox only".