Question Rebreather sanitizer

[justinthedeeps]

The surfactant types are supposed to dissolve microbial cell membranes and soften biofilms (potentially). This could be helpful for reducing how much cellular/organic material accumulates over time, provided that you rinse out whatever got dissolved or loosened.

The oxidant / peroxide ones are chemically reactive, but might not loosen up and dissolve sticky bits like surfactants can. Some materials might be sensitive to the oxidative bleaching (but apparently not our loop materials?)

Maybe a round of either or both followed by a rinse
Or just do water flushes and replace all the hoses after a ~year

There is no sanitizer that will remove well established films and deposits, without direct physical brushing and removal etc

 

[Steel_Stalk]

@justinthedeeps

How often do you replace your breathing hoses?

 

[rjack321]

As a final note, I have not experienced any negative or irritating symptoms using Steramine and I will likely use up the remainder of the tablets I have. I couldn't find another similar thread with sanitizer alternatives and was wondering what others might use as a safer alternative?

There is nothing dangerous about steramine. The incidence of reported problems from its use in rebreathers is basically zero. Sorb dust and the rebreather itself is a far greater hazard.

 

[justinthedeeps]

How often do you replace your breathing hoses?

I am in the "only when there is damage or stink" camp.
Stuff seems to last a long time if you don't leave things baking in direct sunlight, and have cool/dry storage.

Have ended all dive days with prompt rinsing, brief dilute steramine soak, freshwater rinseout, semi-diligent open air hanging dryout procedures. Water can remain in the corrugated hoses and counterlungs for several days. Might try the blower idea of @Pavao one of these days.

 

[Wibble]

I use Chemgene HLD4L -- was easily available from AP Diving in the UK. This is diluted to 1%; 10ml per litre.

Have a Revo with a single loop with two hoses only.

My attitude is to ensure the lungs and loop are kept clean and dry to keep the bugs away.

After every dive I'll disconnect the exhale side and let the drool drip out. I'll always flush the loop after every day with water and squirt in some Chemgene which I've mixed up some concentrate (5% not the recommended 1%) and use a squirty plant food container to blast the mouthpiece and loop as the water fills the loop. I then leave the loop full of this mix for 15mins or more, then empty, flush with clean water (it tastes horrid!) and squeeze out the loop several times. Then it's hung up in the garage to dry and ventilate.

The unit is opened and I use the built in cloths (one each in both exhale and inhale lungs) to wipe out the lungs (Revo lungs are easily accessed through the scrubber holes) then leave it. The cloths will be thoroughly rinsed and some Chemgene mix squirted on them and lightly squeezed and left for 15mins or more, then rinsed out and hung up to dry (I've several cloths, so always build with a clean dry one).

I sparingly squirt in some of the Chemgene mix into both lungs, more to sterilise the bottom of the lungs where moisture accumulates. I will leave that for 15-30 mins and wipe the lungs with some elephant's bog roll (blue industrial tissue) to mop up any surplus. The unit is stored on a bench with the lungs uncovered and cell tray out.

I rarely do a full flush of the unit and lungs, just once or twice a season. This is where the loop's attached and the unit's filled with about 10 litres of 1% Chemgene solution and left for 30 to 60mins.

Have used Steramine tablets, but they're inconvenient.

Have never replaced the breathing loop hoses. I did run a BOV for a year or so; that's unused now as I prefer the simplicity of the DSV.

 

[tongl]

I use Virkon and Chemgene on ventilators, no reason why they can't be used on rebreathers

 

[Wibble]

I use Virkon and Chemgene on ventilators, no reason why they can't be used on rebreathers

Where do you get the Chemgene?

 

[InWay2Deep]

What do rebreather mfgs recommend in general?

KISS recommends Virkon, but I've been using Steramine, specifically the manual says,

"...a product such as Virkon must be used."​

It also says to rinse after sanitizing which I started out doing but then stopped based on recommendations from SB.

 

[Etmar]

rEvo instructs to use Virkon:

 

[Tim Clark Diving]

Steramine for me. I’m in the tropics and everything grows here. I typically do a quick freshwater rinse, spray hoses and lungs with steramine and let sit while I’m cleaning up other gear, then rinse before hanging. Never had a problem and never needed to replace hoses.