Nitrox question

[scubadobadoo]

Might be worth a call to the certifying agency to get their feeling on whether students should be turned away from class because buying an analyzer is deemed necessary. I'm sure they'd want to know an affilliate is turning students away for that reason.

-P

Bingo! But again, make sure that no confusion exists here. I hate LDS's that do this kinda crap as much as the rest but at the same time, triple check your facts and see if they have this requirement printed out on a brochure or class ad so you can send that to the agency too. Otherwise, it will be way to easy for the LDS in question to deny the analyzer requirement and brush it off as a communication error. Just some thoughts. And btw, I'm not saying I don't believe the OP, just being fair since I'm not there.

 

[mike_s]

I think that Ricks and Perrone Fords statements sum it up. You're not required to have one, but once you've had one, you'll never let it go.

With that said, I'm betting that 90% of people who dive nitrox don't own one. me included. (though I've thought about getting the oxycheck kit and building one).

As for your shop, I would ask to see where in the course materials that it requires each student to purchase one for the course. One might be required to use during the course, but I'm betting it's not a "required purchase". This will clearly point out they are pushing gear sales.

 

[snepdiver]

I think that Ricks and Perrone Fords statements sum it up. You're not required to have one, but once you've had one, you'll never let it go.

With that said, I'm betting that 90% of people who dive nitrox don't own one. me included. (though I've thought about getting the oxycheck kit and building one).

As for your shop, I would ask to see where in the course materials that it requires each student to purchase one for the course. One might be required to use during the course, but I'm betting it's not a "required purchase". This will clearly point out they are pushing gear sales.

I talked to LDS and they strongly encourage you to buy your own. It is not required. Their stand is that you own you own analyzer,you know where its been,how it has been taken care of and used. Just like all scuba gear. You want your own. I do. I will get my own or make one myself from Oxygen Hackers directions. Either way, it is not REQUIRED for the class/ certification. I just heard "You have to buy one". Anyway , Thanks for all the input.

 

[PerroneFord]

I actually agree with the LDS's position on this. Buy one when you can. Your life may depend on it one day. Literally.

 

[snepdiver]

No doubt.

 

[Lead_carrier]

I. Might be worth a call to the certifying agency to get their feeling on whether students should be turned away from class because buying an analyzer is deemed necessary. I'm sure they'd want to know an affilliate is turning students away for that reason.

-P

Unfortuantely, most agencies probably don't care. They give their standards, then the unscruptulous shop chimes in with their standards. They don't change the certifying agency's just add too them.

I know one that REQUIRES that your gear be serviced by his shop and brought up to nitrox standards. Even if it is brand new. The amazing part is he gets away with it constantly.

 

[Dan Gibson]

If you don't want to DIY, there are fairly cheap options. I don't know if this one would be a good investment or not, but it is fairly cheap.

http://www.nuvair.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/analyzers_picko2.shtml

I went 4 years without one, no problem. Now that I have one, I wouldn't go without again. But if you ever do want to independently be able to analyze your mix, you can get an El Cheapo from Oxycheq for $100.0 - or pick up Vance's Oxygen Hackers Handbook - and put it together yourself on the cheap. The DIY models give the same readout as the $500.00 kind!

 

[Racket]

I don't know why everyone is attacking the shop.

If they require it and you dont think you should buy it go elsewhere.

I think unscrupulous shops are the ones that charge absurd prices for goods and try to guilt, or scare you into buying them.. (like the $300+personal gear packages)

If this shop is trying to get you to buy a piece of gear at a somewhat resonable price, because their belief is that all nitrox divers should have one. I really do not think they are ripping you off, but if you dont believe that you need one, you take your business elsewhere.

 

[Web Monkey]

Although most of the posts here scream "Evil LDS", having your own analyzer is an excellent way to prevent your own death.

Not every shop has an analyzer that you can trust and many have an analyzer that you aren't permitted to touch, and it's run by an employee who may not be properly trained in it's use.

I was on a trip once where the tank monkey hooked up my tank, cranked the zero-adjust until it said "32" than looked at me and said "32 Percent".

The last time I checked, my life was worth at least $200, and I'll never go without my own O2 analyzer again.

Terry

I am registered to take a nitrox class next week. My question is, Is it commom practice for the LDS to REQUIRE you to purchase an oxygen analyzer in order to complete the cert? Is this just a way to up sell gear? Everywhere I have been that does nitrox fills requires you to test your gas right there after the fill with their tester. Do I need one of my own to be certified? Lots of questions, I know. I will stop my short rant.

I did not know what sub-forum to use for this question so if it needs to be moved so be it.

 

[cummings66]

I've seen a couple postings saying the fill op will have one you can use, true enough. I've also seen those same fill ops have a problem with theirs and the only reason I got a fill was because I had my own.

I think we've got it down now, the LDS doesn't require it but thinks it's a good idea. I agree with that as some others have.