Getting hassled for a nitrox fill...

[Kimsey0]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but all that is needed for a nitrox fill is
1. your nitrox card
2. a sticker on the tank saying when it was oxygen/nitrox cleaned.
here's the story:
I brought a tank to one of the two lds's in my area to get filled with 40/60,
and they kept the tank and said come back in about a week, thats when we fill nitrox.
so, i wait... then a week later i get a call saying something like, we cant fill the tank, we dont know where you got it from, the o-ring doesnt look like it's the right material for oxygen i say, well...
it's got a o2 clean sticker on it, does that help? she said, no
someone could have simply got a tank that wasnt o2 clean and slapped an o2 clean sticker on it, (if thats the case, why do you fill a normal cyl with air, going on the sticker alone, Having a cyl blow up right beside you is generally a hell of alot more dangerous than an oxygen fire...)
i say, ok i'll probably be back to get it then................
Then when i hang up, i call the other lds wich is the one i got the tank from (they had to special order it online i think, no idea specifically what shop though, think it came pre o2/nitrox clean) and i say could you call the other dive shop and tell them where you got the tank from so they can fill it, or tell me, so i can tell them.

He's like, I will NOT call another dive shop, it has been distinctly marked for o2 service, bring it to me, a REAL dive shop (wich is about 20 miles in the opposite direction of where my tank currently is) and i will fill it for you.
(very suprising response, given that i've bought nearly $1000 worth of gear at his shop.)
i think to myself...
given his uncooperative attitude and given the way the other dive shop is hassling me, if there's a real dive shop out there, i ain't seen it.

I had no idea getting a nitrox fill would be such an rediculous hassle, i thought it would be no big deal at all, i just walk in, then walk back out.

Perhaps going to the dalton or chatsworth LDS's wich are alot further away is in order...

 

[Web Monkey]

If the shop doing the fill does Partial Pressure Blending, the sticker doesn't mean anything (even if it's theirs) unless the shop trusts that whoever cleaned it did a good job, that everyplace that's filled it since then has used O2 compatible air and that you have never sucked it dry or contaminated it.

Terry

Correct me if i'm wrong, but all that is needed for a nitrox fill is
1. your nitrox card
2. a sticker on the tank saying when it was oxygen/nitrox cleaned.
here's the story:
. . .

it's got a o2 clean sticker on it, does that help? she said, no
someone could have simply got a tank that wasnt o2 clean and slapped an o2 clean sticker on it, i say, ok i'll probably be back to get it then................
Then when i hang up, i call the other lds wich is the one i got the tank from (they had to special order it online i think, no idea specifically what shop though, think it came pre o2/nitrox clean) and i say could you call the other dive shop and tell them

 

[m3830431]

Why didn't you get the tank filled at the location you bought it?

There shouldn't be a hassle but some LDS have heartburn for some reason helping people that don't buy stuff from them.

 

[Web Monkey]

I had no idea getting a nitrox fill would be such an rediculous hassle, i thought it would be no big deal at all, i just walk in, then walk back out.

Perhaps going to the dalton or chatsworth LDS's wich are alot further away is in order...

If you want easy Nitrox fills in a maybe-not-O2-clean tank, just find someplace that has pre-mixed Nitrox. They shouldn't be quite so fussy.

Terry

 

[jpsexton]

I would'nt be too put off by the LDS not wanting to call his competition. The SCUBA business has a pretty small customer base for the number of shops out there. At least thats the way it is around here.

 

[HowardE]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but all that is needed for a nitrox fill is
1. your nitrox card
2. a sticker on the tank saying when it was oxygen/nitrox cleaned.
here's the story:

That depends. In this case... yes.

Question: Does your sticker say "suitable for O2 service" (VIP sticker with O2 check box) or is it just a big NITROX sticker? (mostly meaningless)

You say it's an O2 Clean sticker, so I'd assume the former... If all of this is true... you should find another shop.

the o-ring doesnt look like it's the right material for oxygen

Which O-Ring are they talking about?? The one inside the tank? Like they took the valve off??? If it's just the o-ring on the yoke... BIG DEAL - get a new o-ring, and say, "look - I got a new o-ring" - if they opened your tank, and VIP'ed it... then they broke the sterility of your o2 cleaning, and they owe you a new o2 cleaning.

I think the final call on this is - find a different shop.

 

[MilitantMedic]

Not to mention colour is not an indicator of O2 compatabilty. Viton comes in any colour imaginable (but usally brown, black, green or some funky white) same with Buna-N.

 

[PerroneFord]

It's a game of politics, but perhaps one of safety. There are shops that supposedly do o2 cleaning that *I* wouldn't trust either. And if I am the one who has to fill that tank with oxygen, I'd be nervous.

Partial pressure filling, which it seems like these shops want to do, demand you have a higher standard of cleaning than just your average shop. What disturbs me, is what others have picked up on. What O-Ring are they talking about? If it is indeed the neck O-Ring, it's pretty hard to tell by looking whether its o2 safe or not.

I am not going to go into the whole deal of them owing you a new VIP because they cracked your tank, that's an argument for another day. However, if an unknown customer came to me with an unknown tank and wanted a HIGH o2 mix, I'd open that tank and have a looksee. And if they wanted a VIP, I'd gladly do it for free. My life is worth more than the 5 mintues it would take me to open that cylinder up and have a look around.

There may be nothing wrong with this shop (though the once a week EAN fills are curious) and they might be erring on the side of caution. With OSHA becoming pro-active these days, shops are trying to be cautious. I know we are installing new panels and containment systems at my shop.

 

[Jamie_r]

come on up to halifax nova scotia i know someone who will fill it for ya
haha
sorry just buggin

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Sounds like shop politics to me ... VIP stickers usually have the name of the shop that issued them. That would mean the fill guy saw his competitor's name on the VIP sticker and decided he deserved a bit of your money too.

The o-ring comment indicates poor or partial training. No doubt, they're looking for the standard brown o-ring. As previously noted, they come in multiple colors. I've got brown, black, blue, and white o-rings on my O2-cleaned tanks.

I'd go pick up the tank and explain to the fellow why you won't be wasting your time coming back to his shop again.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)