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Wow! Horrible experience. Sounds like an ambulance ride to an Emergency Room would have been more appropriate, but when you are struggling to just survive - it's not always easy to make the best call. I would not have bothered with the optional SS from 36 meters tho.
Your description is consistent with CO toxicity alright. The only way to know for sure is with an electronic test from a CO analyzer and those are still all too rare in the field. With that experience, it would certainly have been good to test the tank and your own blood both for CO, but too late now.
There is a false sense of security associated with electric compressors tho. Even with no CO intake, one can produce CO internally if it gets hot from extended use, especially in a tropical climate, when it starts to partially burn its own lubricating oil. I have personally seen 17 ppm on a reliable tester from a reputable electric compressor and more is possible for sure.
Obtaining an Analox CO tester may not be easy in Asia but it can be done and cal-gas can be obtained locally. A good idea for any diver. Not a popular idea as old timers in the dive industry, including agencies and DAN, all developed before the technology was available and just do not fully appreciate the risks - but even DAN admits that it has no idea how common the problem is.
We do know the risks and possibilities are real and that so little is being done that no one knows.
Eh, smelling and tasting compressed air won't protect you from much. Sure, if it smells or tastes bad, reject it, but dangerous CO levels can still exist with no smell or taste from other contaminants.
Your description is consistent with CO toxicity alright. The only way to know for sure is with an electronic test from a CO analyzer and those are still all too rare in the field. With that experience, it would certainly have been good to test the tank and your own blood both for CO, but too late now.
There is a false sense of security associated with electric compressors tho. Even with no CO intake, one can produce CO internally if it gets hot from extended use, especially in a tropical climate, when it starts to partially burn its own lubricating oil. I have personally seen 17 ppm on a reliable tester from a reputable electric compressor and more is possible for sure.
Obtaining an Analox CO tester may not be easy in Asia but it can be done and cal-gas can be obtained locally. A good idea for any diver. Not a popular idea as old timers in the dive industry, including agencies and DAN, all developed before the technology was available and just do not fully appreciate the risks - but even DAN admits that it has no idea how common the problem is.
We do know the risks and possibilities are real and that so little is being done that no one knows.
