Quality Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Scuba Cylinders

[wlecyt40]

My wife and I recently read a story from a FaceBook page called Scuba Accidents and Risk Management Techniques for Divers. In that article, they refer to a possible CO poisoning. They did make reference to a new nitrox detector that they DM on the dive was struggling to use. I don't know if it was O2 toxicity or CO poisoning. I have a O2 detector I am well very used to using. I am wondering if having a CO detector is over kill or if I should actually get one. I would like to know the following from the wealth of knowledge here:

A) is it necessary?
B) Which brand/manufacturer should I think about purchasing?

I am a DM and assistant instructor as well as a critical care paramedic in Missouri for 18 years and my wife is a master diver, critical care and cardiovascular nurse with 35+ years experience. We are both rescue certified. We really do not want to work a code in a foreign country. The closest we have come to this is a syncopal episode (near or total fainting) in a resort in Mexico.

 

[divingx]

To me it’s well worth the money. I use Palm CO when I travel. It’s small and easy to carry around. I calibrate it with known CO gas every 12 months.

 

[wlecyt40]

$400+ is steep though.

 

[justinthedeeps]

One of the cheapest ones you can get looks like this. They sell on most online shopping sites.

It does seem to register CO levels in the presence of smoke, cigarettes, dirty engine rooms of liveaboards. Test it before you believe it.


YMMV

 

[Johnoly]

$400+ is steep though.

In your profile picture, you are wearing a seat belt. But you probably have never been in a head-on severe vehicle collision. So why do you wear the belt ?

PS. I test every tank for CO or I don't dive it.

 

[wlecyt40]

Thank you.

Additional question: Do we need to test every cylinder or just nitrox? The story we read seems to more nod to the nitrox maybe being contaminated, but not sure.

 

[wlecyt40]

In your profile picture, you are wearing a seat belt. But you probably have never been in a head-on severe vehicle collision. So why to you wear the belt ?

PS. I test every tank for CO or I don't dive it.

Because as a paramedic, I have seen my fair share of dead people that decided it wasn't necessary. Too late to say anything once your skull is crushed. However, I get your meaning..... Not lost on me.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Thank you.

Additional question: Do we need to test every cylinder or just nitrox? The story we read seems to more nod to the nitrox maybe being contaminated, but not sure.

Every tank. Any tank of compressed gas can technically be contaminated. It has to do with the compressor.

I too have a Palm CO. I was late to the game but now test every single tank. A CO analyzer is far cheaper than the ramifications from a CO hit.

 

[divingx]

Thank you.

Additional question: Do we need to test every cylinder or just nitrox? The story we read seems to more nod to the nitrox maybe being contaminated, but not sure.

Compressed air can be contaminated for various reasons related to the compressor, like the air intake and temperature. On the other hand, medical/aviation grade oxygen is less likely to be contaminated. So yes, I test every tank for CO when I travel. I don’t have to do it locally because my shop has multiple in line CO, CO2 monitors, so I know if the gas it’s ok.

 

[Underwater Tourist]

this thread covers some options:

Forensic Detectors Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector Review

Like everything I write, this is long and detailed, and you may not need much of this detail. I use a CO monitor both for continuous CO monitoring of my compressor, as well as ad-hoc checking of tank fills I get elsewhere. This is divided into sections so that you can skip the sections you...

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