Rust on 1st stage

[pedronf]

Hi,

Recently, I've bought a Scubapro MK20 S600 regulator.

I went to the Red Sea for diving holidays and used it in for about 20 dives in a row. After that, I've washed it with fresh water and stored it for a couple of weeks. All diving there was done with aluminium cilinders.

This weekend I went for a single dive near home. In Portugal we usually use steel tanks. I've rented tank and air from a Scuba center, got in the water and felt that the reg was too heavy and weird. I've stayed in the water for 45 minutes and completed the dive.

Back on shore, I've noticed that the filter was full of red rust. I couldn't tell if it was like that before I went into the water and I couldn't check the tank because it was already stored.

;-0

Scubapro assistance (by phone) tells me that this thing has to come from the cilinder and I've seen somewhere in the internet that red rust only appears from the steel cilinders.

Can anyone confirm this relation (red rust - steel cilinder)?
Can I claim full responsibility near the dive center?

:upset:

Thanks

 

[C_C]

that "something" is coming out of the cylinder.

Corrosion that is found in Aluminum cylinders typically shows up as a powdery white-like substance. This is known as Aluminum Oxide. A gelatinus like substance sometimes found in Aluminum cylinders is known as Aluminum Hydroxide, which is Aluminum Oxide that has water mixed with it.

Corrosion in steel cylinders most definately can be red in color and is most commonly known as Ferrous Oxide.

Liability issues are dependent upon your local laws, procedures, standards, and customs.

My suggestion would be to contact the LDS and alert them that the cylinder may have corrosion on the interior and should be AT LEAST inspected by a competent, certified Visual Cylinder Inspector.

Good luck,

C_C

 

[pedronf]

The guys on Scubapro examined the reg, confirmed that the rust had to come from the steel cilinder and offered me a free cleaning and verification.

I've warned the LDS about this.

Thanks for your help C_C

 

[C_C]

Best of luck.

C_C