O2 cleaning

[RikRaeder]

What exactly is O2 cleaning on a reg? (I understand that O2 is oxygen). Who, what, why, when, where, how...? Fill me in please, folks.

 

[laserdoc]

only if you dive Nitrox over 40% do you have to worry. So,,,,,,,Unless you dive special gas mixes,,,I would not worry about it.

 

[RikRaeder]

Thanks. I certainly don't dive special gas mixes, but just for the sake of edu-ma-cation would someone like to fill me in, please? Just for fun.

 

[do it easy]

In a nutshell, "O2 cleaning" prepares a reg (or tank/valve) for use with high pressure oxygen. This involves removing any fuels, such as hydrocarbons and contaminants, and replacing any materials that aren't compatible with high pressure oxygen, such as o-rings and silicone grease.

You would want to O2 clean if you plan to use tanks for nitrox, or regulators for breathing pure oxygen or nitrox.

If you want more info on how, search for threads, take an O2 cleaning course, and get oxyhacker's book.

 

[Rick Murchison]

get oxyhacker's book.

Aw, man, Vance has a new edition out??? Just a few more $ in the library, eh?
Rick

 

[RikRaeder]

You would want to O2 clean if you plan to use tanks for nitrox, or regulators for breathing pure oxygen or nitrox.

Thanks for the specifics. Just to cross reference with the first respondant, you mean nitrox over 40% or is there a conflict in advice there? Just checking.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Thanks for the specifics. Just to cross reference with the first respondant, you mean nitrox over 40% or is there a conflict in advice there? Just checking.

I believe what he means is that if you're going to partial pressure blend in your tanks then they must be oxygen clean and service rated; if you're going to use a reg for 40%+ then it must be oxygen clean and service rated.
Remember that an oxygen clean reg loses its rating if used with regular scuba air.
You should also be aware that not everyone goes by the 40% rule; I believe ANDI and the US Navy require oxygen clean gear for anything over 25%, while NOAA and the rest of the Scuba agencies go with the 40% rule.
Rick