Do Nitrox Regs need Nitrox everythings?

[boulderjohn]

So, further question: If I go buy myself a non-nitrox-branded reg setup, and then enroll in a PADI tec course around Easter time, will they let me use that setup with Nitrox fills? Do all the dive schools just use normal regs for nitrox students???

The tech program with which I am associated and every other one I know does NOT use "normal" regs for ANY part of its program. When I think of anything called a "normal" reg, it is yoke style. Programs I know use DIN valves for all parts of the program. It is possible that you might encounter an introductory program using some yoke valves, but once you are into deco diving, you can probably count on DIN being the thing to use.

If you are thinking DIN already, then you can safely ignore what I just wrote.

 

[edaresek]

Good to know, thanks guys.

So I guess I'll just buy some bog-standard equipment, and when it comes round to Nitrox-time (in about six months) I'll have it all serviced with the higher grade lubricant and O-rings...

 

[iztok]

Or you could buy say HOG regs that are already cleaned for O2 and relatively less expensive than many others.

 

[The Chairman]

When I think of anything called a "normal" reg, it is yoke style.

That's news to me. My DIN regs look pretty "normal" from where I stand! In fact, most yoke regs can be converted to DIN as well as in the other direction.

That being said, while DIN regs are preferred by most tech divers and instructors, I still see yoke regs quite often in the tech community.

 

[The Chairman]

Or you could buy say HOG regs that are already cleaned for O2 and relatively less expensive than many others.

That's what I use!

 

[edaresek]

Haha John,

I'm in Europe, so yoke and DIN regs are equally common. When I said 'normal' I meant 'not-specifically-branded-for-Nitrox'.

Whichever reg I go for I will definitely be getting it in DIN format... I've only logged around twenty dives and have already seen six or seven A-clamp/yoke O-Rings burst, and still haven't seen a DIN go yet.

 

[boulderjohn]

That's news to me. My DIN regs look pretty "normal" from where I stand! In fact, most yoke regs can be converted to DIN as well as in the other direction.

That being said, while DIN regs are preferred by most tech divers and instructors, I still see yoke regs quite often in the tech community.

We are clearly talking about different communities, which is why I pulled my punches in my original language. Where I live, no one uses DIN outside of the tech community, and no one in the tech community uses yoke.

 

[edaresek]

So, having established (Colorado vs. Florida it seems!) that we're all talking about DIN regs:

Do most dive schools use simple/standard/basic/non-nitrox-branded regs for their Nitrox students?? Or do they all invest in Nitrox regulators???

Obviously we're only talking about below 40% O2...

 

[Superlyte27]

Just to throw my 2 cents into the pot...

I use Oceanic regs for everything from air to 100% Oxygen. We are an authorized Oceanic repair facility and the rebuild parts are the same regardless of what gas you are pushing through the regulators. Now, I'm not certain if we are any different than any other repair facility but all our regs that we rebuild are built with the same standards using the same lube, same o-rings, same procedures and all are O2 compatible. My Deco bottle with 100% Oxygen uses an Oceanic Alpha regulator.

except for titanium regulators, I believe that almost all regulators can handle 100% O2, provided they were serviced correctly. I've been diving 100% Oxygen from any and all of my regulators since 1996 and have never had an issue.

 

[edaresek]

Okey-dokey: Thanks to everyone for all the info. Looks some money is gonna get saved..