nitrox compatible

[dougr52]

what is the difference in a regulator that is nitrox compatible & one that is not??
what potential problems could arise if i used my non nitrox compatible regulator with nitrox ??

 

[Wantonmien]

What regulator is it ?

Manufacturers book on it should tell you if it is OK ~ or by some chance not.

 

[Tortuga68]

The materials and lubricants used are oxygen compatible in a nitrox reg. Those in a 'standard' reg may or may not be. There is a risk of deterioration, damage and even combustion which may effect it's ability to perform, which obviously could be injurious to you

The liklihood of these events and the concentrations of oxygen required to initiate them are the subject of some debate

Have you done a Nitrox course?

 

[dougr52]

it is a mares mr 12 proton.. non nitrox compatible..

 

[Tortuga68]

I would check that, I thought the NA market were ok up to 40% O2

EU spec will say they're not due to CE regulations

Can you tell us why you're aksing? Makes it easier to provide a relevant answer

 

[Selchie in LB]

Dougr52 I have been curious about this also. I see nitrox compatible on various regs & have wondered why?

Tortuga - why is it important to know what uses? Are there issues with BCDs or dry suits that we should be aware of?

 

[Zung]

Dougr52 I have been curious about this also. I see nitrox compatible on various regs & have wondered why?

Tortuga - why is it important to know what uses? Are there issues with BCDs or dry suits that we should be aware of?

That's a great point: is a BCD nitrox ready? Even more fun: if we wore a dry suit, are the suit, the underwear, and our body nitrox ready?

 

[HowardE]

For nitrox < 40% your gear is fine. For gear and safety concerns, less than 40 is basically considered air. Remember this is not considered air for dive planning.

 

[herman]

As long as you stay under a 40% mix it's a mute point, all regs are "nitrox compatible", contrary to what the sales people will have you believe. Sure the orings will degrade at a slightly accelerated rate but if you are doing the yearly maintance on your reg it does not matter. The life of an oring in scuba service is a lot longer than a year or 2 so it matters little that you reduce the life of the oring, it's going to be changed out way before it's degraded to the point of failure anyway. Spontaneous combustion of lubes and orings is not an issue until you get into high concentrations and pressures of O2.

 

[Tortuga68]

It's "moot"

Tortuga - why is it important to know what uses?

Spontaneous combustion of lubes and orings is not an issue until you get into high concentrations and pressures of O2.

I assume the OP is only asking about 'recreational' (<40%) nitrox use, but since he didn't say, I have no way of knowing

At least he's not using a titanium reg...