Question Rebreather sanitizer

[Steel_Stalk]

@BoltSnap

• Steramine
  
  • Cost per Unit: $10 - $25 per gallon (128 oz)
  • Recommended Use: Typically, 1 oz per gallon of water for surface cleaning or sanitizing.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $0.08 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Biox Cleaner
  
  • Cost per Unit: $25 - $45 per liter (33.8 oz)
  • Recommended Use: Usually 1 oz per 1-2 gallons of water for cleaning diving equipment.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $0.75 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Virkon™ S
  
  • Cost per Unit: $30 - $55 per kilogram (1000g)
  • Recommended Use: Diluted to 1 gram per liter of water for disinfection.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $0.03 per liter (based on 1g per liter dilution).
• Diversol™ / ProKlenz™
  
  • Cost per Unit: $35 - $60 per liter (33.8 oz)
  • Recommended Use: Typically 1 oz per 1-2 gallons of water for cleaning respiratory equipment.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $1.00 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Sterisil / Stericlean
  
  • Cost per Unit: $40 - $70 per liter (33.8 oz)
  • Recommended Use: 1 oz per 1-2 gallons of water for respiratory equipment cleaning.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $1.20 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Ozonated Water
  
  • Cost per Unit: $15 - $50 per ozonator unit (generally one-time purchase)
  • Recommended Use: Ozonated water is used in its entirety (no dilution) for disinfection.
  • Cost per Use: The cost is tied to the generator’s electricity usage, but generally very low per cycle. Typically, around $0.05 to $0.10 per use.

 

[broncobowsher]

I'll stick to the steramine. Recommended by rebreather manufacturers and instructors. Can bring a couple tabs into the field if needed. Issues are known. and as rarely as I even do it. Last one was after I got home and got sick on the trip (Maybe another round of Covid?). That is a reason to mix up a batch and run it through.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Steramine for me too.

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

I'll stick to the steramine. Recommended by rebreather manufacturers and instructors. Can bring a couple tabs into the field if needed. Issues are known. and as rarely as I even do it. Last one was after I got home and got sick on the trip (Maybe another round of Covid?). That is a reason to mix up a batch and run it through.

Word of God (JJ manual):

I'm using Virkon S as it's readily available and I liked tablets - 50 x 5 gram tables were I think about GBP 15, powder would be cheaper. Chemgene is also popular. Freshwater rinse and occasional Virkon bath seem to be enough unless it's warm outside or the water was nasty.

 

[evandroairton]

Used both Virkon and Steramine, both are good (Virkon is widely available in Brazil, Steramine a bit more dificult to buy here)

 

[Nitrogenius]

Back in the days of the Draeger Dophin ,y instructors had recommended this stuff:

https://surdiacahealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BIGUANID.pdf

I had onlu used it on the Draeger.. The other rebreathers I used the manufacturer recommendataion, so Buddy Clean for the Inspo and Virkon S for the rEvo

 

[BoltSnap]

@BoltSnap

• Steramine
  • Cost per Unit: $10 - $25 per gallon (128 oz)
  • Recommended Use: Typically, 1 oz per gallon of water for surface cleaning or sanitizing.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $0.08 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Biox Cleaner
  • Cost per Unit: $25 - $45 per liter (33.8 oz)
  • Recommended Use: Usually 1 oz per 1-2 gallons of water for cleaning diving equipment.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $0.75 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Virkon™ S
  • Cost per Unit: $30 - $55 per kilogram (1000g)
  • Recommended Use: Diluted to 1 gram per liter of water for disinfection.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $0.03 per liter (based on 1g per liter dilution).
• Diversol™ / ProKlenz™
  • Cost per Unit: $35 - $60 per liter (33.8 oz)
  • Recommended Use: Typically 1 oz per 1-2 gallons of water for cleaning respiratory equipment.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $1.00 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Sterisil / Stericlean
  • Cost per Unit: $40 - $70 per liter (33.8 oz)
  • Recommended Use: 1 oz per 1-2 gallons of water for respiratory equipment cleaning.
  • Cost per Use: Approximately $1.20 per use (1 oz per gallon).
• Ozonated Water
  • Cost per Unit: $15 - $50 per ozonator unit (generally one-time purchase)
  • Recommended Use: Ozonated water is used in its entirety (no dilution) for disinfection.
  • Cost per Use: The cost is tied to the generator’s electricity usage, but generally very low per cycle. Typically, around $0.05 to $0.10 per use.

Thank you VERY much!!

 

[Rollin Bonz]

Two and 1/2 years, about 150-175 hours, since certification... My original container of steramine remains unopened...

@stretchthepenn can confirm our instructor "recommended" following the manufacturers guidelines, but advised he seldom (if ever) did anything other than rinsing well with fresh water and allowing to dry (which is the key in his opinion). According to him, his incidence of respiratory issues was less than his colleagues who sanitized after every dive.

It's served me well thus far and I have no plans to change my routine.

 

[Steel_Stalk]

I should have just started a poll asking how may folks rinse with water only! Per my instructors recommendation, I have been sterilizing my loop/counter lungs after every dive day. Now I am questioning my own procedure.

 

[davehicks]

I think a lot depends on the weather and location. Also some parts are more at risk that others. I spray steramine on my loop hoses after most dive days. The counter lungs on my Kiss are downstream from the scrubbers and thus have a ph-level way to high for anything to take root or grow.

But I agree that most of the time flushing the loop and mouthpiece with fresh water is enough.

I would be more aggressive sterilizing in a tropical locale. It can be difficult to get anything to dry properly, and slime can form if left long enough.