O2 Clean tank fills

[Malibugary]

Is there any difference in the fill equipment if I go somewhere and they only do air and no Nitrox? Basically will I be screwed if I let them fill my tanks and not be able to get refilled with Nitrox afterwards? I get partial blending locally (assuming that's filling x psi of O2 and topping off with air). Someone said that if the system in question isn't "O2" compatible you shouldn't breathe the air from it anyway? How do you know if it's O2 compatible?

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Typically if a shop only does air, then they will rarely pay the extra $$ to filter it to oxygen compatible air (OCA). In that case, their compressor will contaminate your tanks and you will technically no longer be able to do partial pressure at the other shop. Non-OCA air is perfectly fine to breathe, its just not clean enough for oxygen use. Ask the shop, they should be able to provide you an air analysis report that will tell you if its OCA. Standard, grade E air is not OCA.

 

[Wookie]

^^^Yup

 

[tbone1004]

what they said. Better question is why are you paying for PP nitrox in Kansas? If you're not diving deeper than about 80ft it's really not worth it.... Even then, it'd be cheaper in the long run to just get deco certified and stay on air....

 

[Wookie]

what they said. Better question is why are you paying for PP nitrox in Kansas? If you're not diving deeper than about 80ft it's really not worth it.... Even then, it'd be cheaper in the long run to just get deco certified and stay on air....

This. Now, don't get me wrong, I am the biggest nitrox fan in the world, but then, I'm running a liveaboard doing 5 80 foot dives per day. Doing a double dip quarry or lake on a Saturday does not equate to great nitrox benefits.

 

[Malibugary]

I found some used LP108's. Had them hydro/vip. They were already Nitrox banded and the shop that did the VIP O2 cleaned them. He only put 21% in but I went to a place over the weekend and it was only a couple bucks more for 32%. That being said I'm going to a place this weekend that doesn't offer Nitrox. Not knowing thier setup should I just get them filled with air and disregard any Nitrox fills till the next time I have the vip done? Sorry for the questions as I am New to tank ownership lol.

 

[Wookie]

It's a simple question for the shop, "Is your air tested to Oxygen Compatible air or Grade E?" They will tell you, and it's likely that even if it's grade E tested, it meets OCA specs. If it's Grade E, take the NTX bands off. If it's OCA, leave them intact.

 

[tbone1004]

what Frank said. Even at an extra couple bucks, it's that couple bucks, plus the hassle of worrying about OCA vs Grade E, plus the cost of having the valves and the bottles cleaned. Just not worth the hassle. Hell, even in cave country I just bring an O2 bottle when I'm in Peacock and dive Air because the extra $10/fill for doubles isn't worth saving about 4 minutes of deco. With an O2 bottle and basic decompression training, you get a better bang for your buck by having a 5 minute mandatory deco stop on O2 vs a 5 minute safety stop diving nitrox.

 

[Malibugary]

Thanks guys.

 

[uncfnp]

Just to clarify guys for the op and maybe me. If he does choose to fill with noncompatible air (not modified grade E), technically he can no longer get partial pressure fills. But he can still get banked Nitrox fills if he chooses and it's available. So they will still be Nitrox tanks, just not O2 clean.