M1 Nitrox Levels

[MikadoWu]

Hello again all.

A buddy and I are looking into purchasing a couple of Atomic M1 Regulators for a deco diving class I am trying to schedule. I have taken the NAUI Nitrox class, and watch and read PADI's material as well.

While reviewing my Owners Manual for my Z3s and the Atomic website, I now have a couple questions I am hope to better understand.

Website - "Nitrox to 50% or oxygen mixes to 80% when special guidelines are followed"

Owners Manual - Page 16, it states up to 80% "provided it is dedicated for this service and kept in an oxygen clean conditions."

1st - “provided it is dedicated” - How low of a Nitrox Mixture can I use, while still maintaining the ability to use 80%?

2nd - How do I keep a regulator in an oxygen cleaned state so it'll always remain dedicated

I sent the Email to Atomic, but the answer I received really did not answer the questions.

As always Thank you all

 

[Dr. Lecter]

2nd question first: you only use the reg on tanks that have been O2 cleaned (along with the valve) and kept O2 clean by not filling with anything other than O2, helium, and hyper-filtered/O2 clean air. Also, keep anything other than O2 clean grease away from the reg, particularly the o-ring if it's a DIN reg).

Dedicated has to do with keeping it O2 clean or not. If you use it solely with O2 clean gas/tanks/valves, you can use the thing with 1/99 trimix if you want; if you don't dedicate and want to use your deco reg on regular old tanks, 50% is the max (which means it's still useable as a deco reg, just not on the 80% or 100%).

Also, the 80% limit seems to be complete rubbish IME, but maybe AA will chime in with what quirk of reg design makes their 1st stage particularly unsuitable for 100% O2.

 

[MikadoWu]

Thank you for the reply Dr. Lecter.

Your explanation, makes a lot more sense to me. I may chime back in with another question, after I absorb this information more.

I am little over a year into my diving career and have truly enjoyed it. My Professional career is coming to and end soon, so I have been spending a lot of time reading and learning as much about Scuba as I can.

I was down in the Florida Keys Last week diving with my daughter, ended up looking at house in the evening. I am feeling a second career down there could be a blessed place to be.

ScubaBoard has been a great place with some great people to throw-out the question you get as you learn.

Thanks...

 

[Atomic Aquatics]

[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]"Micheal,[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]The M1 is the perfect regulator for use with nitrox mixes above normal oxygen concentrations. As you noted there are certain procedures that must be followed. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]A little background about Nitrox will help with your understanding. As the concentration of O2 increases in the breathing gas the possibility of combustion (something catching fire) also increases. To prevent any form of combustion both the regulator and breathing gas (nitrox) must be pure and free from any contaminants. Special cleaning agents and procedures are used to make regulators contaminant free or "Nitrox Ready." When Nitrox is blended the base "air" MUST be filtered (or cleaned) to remove all possible contaminants. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]Experience has shown that regulators do not require special cleaning when O2 concentrations are 40% or lower. Due to unique materials used in the Atomic M1 O2 concentrations of 50% or lower can be used without special cleaning.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]If you are using Nitrox with oxygen concentrations higher than 50% you must dedicate the reg. Dedication means the regulator is only used for this purpose and is never attached to a "contaminated" air source. In other words, the regulator can not be used with standard breathing air. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]I hope this answers your questions. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial black,sans-serif]Best regards "

Jeff Trentini
Atomic Aquatics[/FONT]

 

[Dr. Lecter]

"Micheal,


The M1 is the perfect regulator for use with nitrox mixes above normal oxygen concentrations. As you noted there are certain procedures that must be followed.


A little background about Nitrox will help with your understanding. As the concentration of O2 increases in the breathing gas the possibility of combustion (something catching fire) also increases. To prevent any form of combustion both the regulator and breathing gas (nitrox) must be pure and free from any contaminants. Special cleaning agents and procedures are used to make regulators contaminant free or "Nitrox Ready." When Nitrox is blended the base "air" MUST be filtered (or cleaned) to remove all possible contaminants.


Experience has shown that regulators do not require special cleaning when O2 concentrations are 40% or lower. Due to unique materials used in the Atomic M1 O2 concentrations of 50% or lower can be used without special cleaning.


If you are using Nitrox with oxygen concentrations higher than 50% you must dedicate the reg. Dedication means the regulator is only used for this purpose and is never attached to a "contaminated" air source. In other words, the regulator can not be used with standard breathing air.


I hope this answers your questions.


Best regards "

Jeff Trentini
Atomic Aquatics

You should really reconsider using that English-to-Corporate Drivel translator here...it's not in keeping with the kind of no-nonsense service/support people expect from Atomic. Your post reminds me of this gem from some clueless Halcyon rep, who was claiming to answer my question of whether an ABC 10 weight system tagged MADE IN CHINA could be authentic:

Thanks for being a Halcyon customer. Your support is truly valued. While all our systems, wings, marker buoys and most of our products are manufactured in our North Florida factory, a few accessory items are produced overseas by our USA based vendors. While not 100% made in America, please be assured most of the parts, assemblies and the systems are made by our team of professionals in Florida. Thanks again for choosing Halcyon.

 

[MikadoWu]

Dr. Lecter,

I found this article that touches on this conversation. Thought I would link it up for others.

Nitrox Fills and O2 Cleaning Tanks