converting nitrox back to compressed air

[slasal15]

I have a chance to get a fairly new tank from a friend that can no longer dive due to medical condition. It's a nitrox filled tank. My question is once you use nitrox in a tank can you convert it back to a compressed air tank:icon_ques

 

[Wayward Son]

Yep, just fill it with air.

 

[ChrisA]

I have a chance to get a fairly new tank from a friend that can no longer dive due to medical condition. It's a nitrox filled tank. My question is once you use nitrox in a tank can you convert it back to a compressed air tank:icon_ques

Lets say you have a 2 ltire soda bttle filled with soda and you wanted to convert it into a water botle. What you do is:

1) Dump out the soda
2) remove the lable
3) fill it with water.

About the same steps apply to the nitrox tank. Yes, after emptying the bottle of either nitrox or soda small amounts still remain inside but not a big deal as the rements are very much like what you are going to refill the bottle with. Now if you wanted to make a water bottle out of an old gasoline can it's a different story...

 

[H2Andy]

once you use nitrox in a tank can you convert it back to a compressed air tank:icon_ques

yes, and vice-versa

nitrox is just air with more oxygen added

be aware, though, that some shops will give you grief about putting
nitrox in "air" (unlabeled) tanks and putting air in tanks labeled Nitrox.

it's just b.s., but if it's the only way to get air, you have to play along

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Beat em to the punch by getting all uppity and saying "You're pumping O2 clean air right? I don't want to get crap in my nitrox tanks from your raggedy old compressor" You'll get great deals on fills

 

[LSDeep]

as said above if you dont dive it (maybe not nitrox certified) dump it (or have a friend use it and fill with air afterwards. keep in mind that should you consider to use them for nitrox again you need to fill them with o2 clean air to avoid contaminations that might proof harmful in the event of partial pressure blending or use with nitrox above 50%. should you be not sure about your air source a new o2 cleaning before reverting back to nitrox use might be the safest way.

 

[miketsp]

Yep, just fill it with air.

Not so simple...
How is the tank marked?
If it's just stickers, tear them off.
If it's painted yellow and has the word Nitrox painted on it you're creating a potential hazard in that you (or anyone else) shouldn't dive it without analysing the contents.
There's always the risk that the dive shop will confuse your tank with someone else's and put an EAN fill in it.

 

[mike_s]

why not just take the Nitrox course and use it as a nitrox tank??

The course is pretty cheap, especially since dives aren't required with it by most agencies.

You can always get a "21% partial pressure fill" also, which is bascially an "air fill" from the o2 clean side of the compressor/bank fill whip. Many people here have done that before. (just make sure they fill it from the o2 clean side, assuming it's an o2 clean tank.)

 

[AquaHump]

why not just take the Nitrox course and use it as a nitrox tank??

The course is pretty cheap, especially since dives aren't required with it by most agencies.

You can always get a "21% partial pressure fill" also, which is bascially an "air fill" from the o2 clean side of the compressor/bank fill whip. Many people here have done that before. (just make sure they fill it from the o2 clean side, assuming it's an o2 clean tank.)

Well said. Take this chance to go get your basic Nitrox class. it will only do you good.

 

[slasal15]

Thanks for the feed back guys, I think I'm going to check into the "21% partial Fill" for now and think about the nitrox certification for later on.