O2 vs. nitrox?

[mksmith713]

Is there a difference between an oxygen reg and a nitrox reg?
If so can they be interchanged?
I have a 1st, 2nd and octo that are marked Nitrox and was wondering if I can use them with regular O2.

Thanks

 

[JahJahwarrior]

If by "regular o2" you mean 100% o2, then you should o2 clean the regs and consider replacing the orings with Viton ones.

If by "regular o2" you mean air, as in 21%o2, 78%n2 and ~1% other stuff, then any regulator made for nitrox will be fine.

Recreational regulators should be fine, from the factory, for mixes of up to 40% o2, which works out well considering most mixes for bottomgas are 32% or 36% if the gas is banked.

If you need a deco reg, you might want to look into regs designed to run on 100% o2, I want to say there are a few out there. Otherwise, read up on reg cleaning. Or, deco on 50/50, still clean your regs, but you don't need a regulator designed for pure o2 service.

 

[mksmith713]

What I have are regs marked Nitrox and I want to use them for regular O2.
The specific brand is "Seac Sub"... the model is "Sorius"... and it's marked "Nitrox"

 

[ekremer]

Like JahJahwarrior said, if by "regular O2" you mean air then they are fine. If you mean O2 as 100% Oxygen (not what we breath in on a daily basis) then no your not ok.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Please, define what percentage of oxygen "regular o2" contains. Then we will answer your question better.

 

[fppf]

Are you certified yet?

 

[mksmith713]

Doing my OW course in 3 weeks.

 

[fppf]

I would finish your cert up before buying gear. Your instructor will be able to answer all your questions.

To answer this question you must understand you don't use "Oxygen" for diving. Divers breath air, just plain old air. And Yes, a regulator that can be used for Nitrox can be used for Air. However if a regulator is not made for Nitrox it can only be used with Air. It takes an additional class to become cert. for Nitrox. Until then you will be diving Air.

Again your instructor will go into detail during your class.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Then, you are likely not going to be using 100% oxygen.


"air" is composed of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and ~1% other gasses. Nitrox means any mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, I believe, if you want to be technical about it. So, air is nitrox. Enriched Air Nitrox, or EANx, is what most people mean when they say "nitrox." EANx is a gas with greater than 21% oxgyen. Common mixes are 32% and 36% oxygen.

Your Nitrox regulator will be perfectly fine with "air" because air is nitrox. It will also be perfectly fine with "Recreational" mixes of EANx, which are any mix containing less than 40% oxygen (and greater than 20.9%. Yes, some divers use less than 21% oxygen if diving at extreme depths, but they use a "Travel mix" to get them to that depth).

However, if your regulator is used, it might be prudent to get it serviced before using it in a class. It should run you less than $100 and your life is worth it, believe me.

Welcome to Scubaboard and good luck with your class in three weeks!