Integrated CO detector?

[movieflick]

I was reading about some of the recent accidents that were attributed to CO in the tanks. I am curious why they don't integrate a CO detector into dive computers? Is this a technical restriction?

 

[flots am]

I was reading about some of the recent accidents that were attributed to CO in the tanks. I am curious why they don't integrate a CO detector into dive computers? Is this a technical restriction?

The cynical side of me says that that it would be a really tough sell to the dive shops, since they probably don't want people complaining about marginally bad air.

Sort of like asking hotels to sell those black lights used to detect "bodily fluids".

flots

 

[reefduffer]

It's a question of building a gas composition detector with usable accuracy, that will stay that way with minimal maintenance/calibration, and be affordable enough that people will buy it.

Look at the %O2 gauges used for Nitrox diving, or the existing CO detectors. They are workable, but require frequent calibration using a known gas (say air at 21% O2, or a CO test ampule) and sensor replacement. The sensors in dive computers for depth (pressure), tank pressure, temperature, and time are all of a nature that unless they grossly malfunction, stay accurate for many years, so the only maintenance requirement is replacing the battery. Not so for chemical sensors, at least not yet and not cost-effectively.

If you could do that for %O2, the demand from Nitrox divers would be substantial.

 

[movieflick]

Thanks for the reply. I am sure someone somewhere is working out a gas analyser for computers. 2015 line up maybe? I would think it would be great to hit an analysis button on the computer and it tells you CO as well as your mixes. Maybe 2025 lineup for that?

I have never used a CO detector so I am not sure how they are calibrated but I would think it would be the same to calibrate an integrated as a stand alone.

 

[rjack321]

The revelvant range for O2 is in percent (parts per 100). And at least on a CCR O2 sensors used underwater are still finicky as hell, done in triplicate, and replaced fairly often.

The revelant range for CO is ppm (parts per million) and requires an actual cylinder of CO, typically mixed with carrier gases to calibrate. And CO calibration gas decomposes to CO2 so it need to be relatively fresh too.

CO doesn't spontaneously appear UW (neither does O2) so just like with OC nitrox its perfectly adequate to analyze at the shop or on the dock/boat. Making a CO sensor capable of working UW and tolerating flooding etc is unnecessary.

 

[movieflick]

Making a CO sensor capable of working UW and tolerating flooding etc is unnecessary.

A bucket and a sponge work just fine , but it is nice to have a mop. What about when you are on vacation and the hotel or boat fill all the tanks?

 

[markmantei]

Like reefduffer states, a large issue is the frequent replacement of the sensor, and even more frequent calibration. I don't think "most" divers are ready for that. The issue is that the sensor drift, if not caught could give you false information. Also as rjack321 says, surface analysis is sufficient, the new analox co detector looks great and easy to use, that's the one I plan on getting.

While I'm sure that at some point in the future they may be able to integrate CO sensors, the number of scuba divers is fairly small. Until there are better sensors developed for industrial purposes I don't think the technology to make these work reliably with minimal maintenance will be developed. I don't see the companies investing the r&d for the relatively small number of divers.

I think the real answer would be to have CO sensors installed on EVERY compressor, I know this puts the onus back on the diveop, but we divers are paying for the air, it should be their responsibility to ensure its safety. I wouldn't mind paying double for a fill from a CO monitored compressor. The difference between 5 and 10 bucks is minimal for the added safety, and I'd be surprised if the ops needed to double the fill price to compensate for the extra cost. I know, this is highly unlikely to happen in US/Canada, and has 0% chance of flying in vacation spots that cater to less educated divers.

 

[movieflick]

Maybe I cofused the question. I am not thinking that CO needs to be monitored under water. What I am saying is when I hook up my air before I dive it would be nice for there to be a sensor built into my computer and indicate to me the CO levels of my tank.

 

[markmantei]

Makes sense what you want, I just don't think the tech to make it reliable enough exists yet, plus it would mean changes to the design of the ai transmitters and wireless protocol which is probably just designed to send tank pressures (wouldn't apply to console computers though).

Sometimes its better to keep the equipment we use specialized enough that those using it fully understand the required maintenance required.

I don't think that the analox unit is too much trouble to bring on even a small boat. I'd just throw it in my camera bag, then even the tanks on the boat could be tested. For use at home, I'd just test post fill @ the dive shop, just like o2 testing a nitrox fill, that would give them instant info to if there ever was a problem.

 

[knowone]

An autoclave in the hotel room, for the remote would be a job for the handy.