Hey everybody,
I am in the process of piecing together an O2 Kit for my personal vessel. I am looking for some recommendations and general advice in regards to the kit organization/setup....as well as in regards to differences in O2 regulators - in a marine environment. A little bit of background if it helps: I am based in South FL, am an experienced freediver & certified Rescue Diver -- working on DM currently. I have a 15' Whaler that I dive off of frequently. Usual stomping grounds are Broward County, Palm Beach County & the Lower Keys. It is not unusual for me to run 20 miles offshore for hunting in bluewater. I also have a group of scuba divers that go out with me often. We focus on spearfishing and lobstering.
Just for peace of mind, I've acquired two O2 tanks (size M-15) through a friend. They are secondhand and were given to me for free. I realize that they are fairly large for what I'm looking at, but I am planning on running one on the boat & keeping the other at home for backup (or to lend out to a friend if needed.) The tanks are due for Hydro (and subsequently O2 cleaning) but I was expecting that. After all, I've got $0.00 into it at this point. These tanks have birthyears of 1995 & 1997 with no Hydro ever performed. Do you think they will pass? I guess that is the first question.
If they have a 50/50 chance of passing Hydro I'd go ahead and have the test performed. That brings me to the next question.....valves and regulators. These tanks have some valves and regulators on them currently but they look rather outdated. I would prefer to run a newer regulator setup, but if I can use the same valves then I would prefer that option. Are the CGA-870 fittings standard across-the-board? I'm worried that if I order something like the EverReady Reg for $30 -- it won't be backwards compatible with these old "Mada Medical Products" valves.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I see huge price differences in O2 regulators. With a strong focus on brass components & heat resistance. I can only assume that these types of regulators are geared towards high-heat environments, i.e. firefighters......BUT wouldn't the benefits of a brass construction ALSO be beneficial in a marine environment? Would those benefits justify 4x the cost over, say, an aluminum O2 regulator? Sorry for all the questions.
LASTLY....for those of you who run O2 kits on YOUR boats. How do you store them? Space is at a *premium* so my preferred method of a Pelican is basically not an option. Maybe a padded backpack? Drybag? Need something with quick access but relatively decent protection from the elements.
Thanks for taking the time to read!
I am in the process of piecing together an O2 Kit for my personal vessel. I am looking for some recommendations and general advice in regards to the kit organization/setup....as well as in regards to differences in O2 regulators - in a marine environment. A little bit of background if it helps: I am based in South FL, am an experienced freediver & certified Rescue Diver -- working on DM currently. I have a 15' Whaler that I dive off of frequently. Usual stomping grounds are Broward County, Palm Beach County & the Lower Keys. It is not unusual for me to run 20 miles offshore for hunting in bluewater. I also have a group of scuba divers that go out with me often. We focus on spearfishing and lobstering.
Just for peace of mind, I've acquired two O2 tanks (size M-15) through a friend. They are secondhand and were given to me for free. I realize that they are fairly large for what I'm looking at, but I am planning on running one on the boat & keeping the other at home for backup (or to lend out to a friend if needed.) The tanks are due for Hydro (and subsequently O2 cleaning) but I was expecting that. After all, I've got $0.00 into it at this point. These tanks have birthyears of 1995 & 1997 with no Hydro ever performed. Do you think they will pass? I guess that is the first question.
If they have a 50/50 chance of passing Hydro I'd go ahead and have the test performed. That brings me to the next question.....valves and regulators. These tanks have some valves and regulators on them currently but they look rather outdated. I would prefer to run a newer regulator setup, but if I can use the same valves then I would prefer that option. Are the CGA-870 fittings standard across-the-board? I'm worried that if I order something like the EverReady Reg for $30 -- it won't be backwards compatible with these old "Mada Medical Products" valves.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I see huge price differences in O2 regulators. With a strong focus on brass components & heat resistance. I can only assume that these types of regulators are geared towards high-heat environments, i.e. firefighters......BUT wouldn't the benefits of a brass construction ALSO be beneficial in a marine environment? Would those benefits justify 4x the cost over, say, an aluminum O2 regulator? Sorry for all the questions.
LASTLY....for those of you who run O2 kits on YOUR boats. How do you store them? Space is at a *premium* so my preferred method of a Pelican is basically not an option. Maybe a padded backpack? Drybag? Need something with quick access but relatively decent protection from the elements.
Thanks for taking the time to read!