Do my regulators need to be cleaned for EOX2?

[BadabingM3]

I've been going through the PADI online nitrox course and in June plan on getting my sign off and first nitrox dive(s) in. My regulators are pretty much brand new Aqua Lung Legend series that have a total of about 10 dives on air logged since I purchased them last summer. Do I really need to have them cleaned/serviced before I switch to Nitrox?

Another question is if I dive nitrox consecutively for a week, say about 10 dives, then do they need to be serviced again if later I dive on air? I mean, how often can one switch over from Nitrox to air and back? I doubt going from nitrox to air as that is a lower O2 level is the issue, but going to a higher O2 is as stated in the course.

Reason I ask is because this summer I'll dive Dahab and plan on diving nitrox, then a month later I'll be in Italy where the dive shop I'm diving with usually just goes with air.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[ereediver]

I believe they go throught that in the course, but as long as you don't go over 40 percent 02 your fine. BY the way tank fills are a different matter depending on how they are filled

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I believe they go throught that in the course, but as long as you don't go over 40 percent 02 your fine. BY the way tank fills are a different matter depending on how they are filled

ereediver is right. Since you will be traveling to dive, you'll be renting tanks at your destination. This means that the dive op will worry about how the nitrox tanks are filled. You don't have to do a thing. Just bring your reg, dive the nitrox tank, and be happy. Have fun on your vacation...

 

[BadabingM3]

thanks fella's, I didn't think it was that critical with new regulators when switching from air to 32% or 34% Nitrox. Can't wait to enjoy the trip.

 

[redacted]

I've been going through the PADI online nitrox course and in June plan on getting my sign off and first nitrox dive(s) in. My regulators are pretty much brand new Aqua Lung Legend series that have a total of about 10 dives on air logged since I purchased them last summer. Do I really need to have them cleaned/serviced before I switch to Nitrox?

Another question is if I dive nitrox consecutively for a week, say about 10 dives, then do they need to be serviced again if later I dive on air? I mean, how often can one switch over from Nitrox to air and back? I doubt going from nitrox to air as that is a lower O2 level is the issue, but going to a higher O2 is as stated in the course.

Reason I ask is because this summer I'll dive Dahab and plan on diving nitrox, then a month later I'll be in Italy where the dive shop I'm diving with usually just goes with air.

Cheers,
Rob

What is it that PADI stated in the course that generated your question?

 

[BadabingM3]

Oops, just realized my dumb ass posted this question in the wrong section.

to answer awap, I had read on the online nitrox course where it talks about regulators/stages used for air, there can be build up of hydrocarbons from the air used and in some places it may be a bit "dirtier" than others. The build up can cause a fatal accident when it's introduced to nitrox because of the oxygen % increase. So it states to have the regulators cleaned by a dealer or qualified service rep.

I guess a regulator that has been used for say, 100+ dives with air would be an issue, maybe, but a new one with only 10 dives seems a bit off.

 

[vjanelle]

Regulators and Nitrox [Archive] - ScubaBoard

 

[Jim Lapenta]

No most regs are good to 40% out of the box and even after 100 dives unless I was dipping them in oil or diesel fuel there would be no need to have the regs serviced for nitrox. In fact I would not bother doing anything other than basic service and annual maintenance. Unless you actually plan to start using mixes above say 50% (or get bad air that has been contaminated then I'd do an O2 clean just because) there is no need to O2 clean a reg if you do the basics

 

[muddiver]

I agree with Jim Lapenta, if you are only using standard Nitrox mixes and you are not using a mix over 40% O2 you don't need to do anything special with your regulator. The pressures in most of the regulator are not heigh enough to wory about compatability. It is the high pressure side of the first stage regulator that could be a problem if you use mixed gas over 40% O2 and closer to 100% O2. Then cleaning is a good idea and you need to learn to open valves very slowly.

Your cylinder and it's valve must be O2 clean and rebuilt with O2 compatable parts to be safe if the shop you get your fill at uses the partial presussure blending process.

 

[BadabingM3]

Sweet! Thanks fella's, I wont' worry about that then. I'll just get the anual service as needed.