Mild burning in my chest on O2 switch

[rjack321]

There have been several reported cases of partial or near complete oxidation of the polymide valve seats in the tank valve on O2 bottles.

In short everything can be "clean" in your supply bottles, transfer whips, etc. and you can still have bad gas in your O2 bottle.

Have you had the gas analyzed?

Tobin

I thought of this too, but figured a contaminated fill would have created increasing irritation as time breathing the gas went on, not less.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I thought of this too, but figured a contaminated fill would have created increasing irritation as time breathing the gas went on, not less.

You are probably correct, but you could have a "plug" of nasty gas down stream of the valve seat.

If I was breathing anything that made my chest hurt I'd want to have the gas checked if possible.

Tobin

 

[rjack321]

If I was breathing anything that made my chest hurt I'd want to have the gas checked if possible.

Me too. Although I have had heartburn/acid reflux on deco before. I think from being prone so long along with having cold water mucus production and swallowing too much of that.

 

[kierentec]

Thanks for all the great info, guys. Good stuff to look out for in the future. It was so mild I didn't really think much of it at the time, so didnt go through the process of getting the gas analyzed or anything. It was also the last dive of the trip, and we left the island (utila) the next day. I had done 14 dives over the course of a month using the same o2 bottle, and didn't experience anything on the previous dives.

Thanks again for the info

 

[Doppler]

Two possibilities already mentioned... HP seat blasted... had it happen to a student but the taste and sensation is so bad that continued breathing would be difficult. Given your exposure, kit and description of the onset, my vote is on rjack's explanation.

A surprisingly high percentage of folks seem to have a sensitivity to gases with exceptionally low due point. I have heard their reaction described as dry-air-asthma and believe that A LOT of reports of early onset pulmonary toxicity are nothing of the sort... just reaction to dry air. Remember that you have to humidify that air... every breath of it. Takes a lot of energy and a lot of water... 'nuther excuse to dive CCR.