Does Nitrox leave a bad taste in anyone else's mouth?

[ASUPaula]

I know oxygen is tasteless, but I'm convinced the way a higher concentration of oxygen interacts with my chemistry leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I'm curious if anyone can relate.

I don't know if it's related at all, but I also noted feeling lethargic and on the verge of a headache after diving Nitrox.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

 

[sessions]

I know oxygen is tasteless, but I'm convinced the way a higher concentration of oxygen interacts with my chemistry leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I'm curious if anyone can relate.

I don't know if it's related at all, but I also noted feeling lethargic and on the verge of a headache after diving Nitrox.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

I am surprised to hear about the feelin of being lethargic....usually quite the opposite, compared to air. As far as theb taste, I have not experienced it.

 

[Padipro]

I've been diving Nitrox for about 8 years now and have never experienced any bad taste. I would have the gas analized for Carbon Monoxide, both a bad taste and a headache are signs of bad gas. The other explanation for the headache could be Carbon Dioxide retention. Skip breathing is a good way for this to happen also not breathing deeply enough to flush out the Carbon Dioxide from the lungs during normal resperation while diving. This will result in a massive headache if allowed to go to far and can also contribute to oxygen toxicity.

 

[joddie]

sometimes I think it tastes like chicken dont everything


On a seriuos note I cant tell a difference

 

[WaterDawg]

as Padipro said. have it analyzed or try a fill from another shop w/ a different tank.
Its not supposed to do that.

 

[DennisW]

I agree with Padipro as well, if you can taste something in your air, there is something there that should not be.

 

[Don Burke]

I know oxygen is tasteless, but I'm convinced the way a higher concentration of oxygen interacts with my chemistry leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I'm curious if anyone can relate.

I don't know if it's related at all, but I also noted feeling lethargic and on the verge of a headache after diving Nitrox.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

I know some people who tell me they can taste the difference between air and 50%. The difference in taste is lost on me.
I have never heard of someone being able to taste 32% or 36%.

I would try gas from another shop. For the most part, if you can smell it or taste it, you should not breathe it.

 

[Walter]

Carbon Monoxide is also tasteless.

 

[roni]

I would think that it related to the air quality from the filling station and/or contamination in the dive tank

 

[Henryville]

Could be placebo effect, but I feel sharper after breathing nitrox. What is the taste? Can you smell it, too? I have never "tasted" nitrox, but I have gotten a bad fill when the LDS's filter failed and had a set of doubles "painted" with a layer of compressor oil. That I could definitely smell. To the LDS's credit, they caught it, broke down and O2 cleaned my tanks and manifold, and refilled me for free.

Taste and/or smell in breathing gas is a definite no-no, and may well indicate a tank and valve break down and cleaning on top of draining and replacing the gas. If it is really bad, you may have to get your regs cleaned, too. As a first step I would get my tank visual inspected to see if there is any knind of residue.