Typical Nitrox

[SailNaked]

We are about to take our first venture to Bonaire staying at Buddy Dive.
What is the usual nitrox available, do they have 32 and 36% ready to go? can you ask for 35%(for 100ft). do people mosly just dive 32% and not worry about anything?
If I did not have so much time in front of a computer I am sure I would just wait another 2 weeks till I get there, but what are forums for anyway.

 

[fdog]

You're right, this is exactly what forums are for!

We were at Buddy Dive last week. They have endless rows of cylinders of 32%. When testing, this seemed to vary from 30.5% to 33.5%, with the majority at 32% plus or minus about 0.2%.

In fact, I had the sneaking suspicion that the variance had more to do with the different meters they have, than the blending, which I was impressed with, especially in the volumes of gas they push through.

They offer technical diving mixes and equipment, which we did not avail ourselves of. This means you can get whatever mix you want with some lead time (sounds like a day), but the difference between 32% and 35% wouldn't make it worth the hassle for me.

You'll love your time at Buddy Dive, we liked it so much we're going back next year for two weeks!

All the best, James

 

[SubMariner]

We are about to take our first venture to Bonaire staying at Buddy Dive.
What is the usual nitrox available, do they have 32 and 36% ready to go? can you ask for 35%(for 100ft). do people mosly just dive 32% and not worry about anything?
If I did not have so much time in front of a computer I am sure I would just wait another 2 weeks till I get there, but what are forums for anyway.

Buddy's standard Nitrox blend is 32%, but as fdog indicated, that can vary a bit. I strongly advocate testing each tank before you decide whether or not to keep it because we have found the odd one that didn't have the right mix, or weren't at least 3K. No big deal, usually... just put that one back in the "used" section & grab another.

FWIW we've been to Buddy's about 10 times & would go back in a heartbeat.

Enjoy!

 

[SailNaked]

I have my own meter, and I am so stoked I cant wait the 17 days I have left. reading all the posts here just to pass the time.

 

[BonaireDan]

Love Buddy's. Fantastic and reliable operation. fdog was right on with the usual mixes. Likely various meters / standardization that varies. Pressures (fills) can vary at any locale and I also put the low tanks back in the used area without the cap on if there is one.

Not to worry about anything other than 32 for average diving on Bonaire. It is a safe mix that gives you usually far longer BT than your air consumption will allow. Always check the tank yourself before leaving the fill station.

I will be using Buddy's again in October for tanks at the drive through or at Belmar. Staying at a friend's condo at LBR this next trip but will likely hangout evenings at Buddy's - love the bar.

 

[kmcneer]

can you ask for 35%(for 100ft).

what do you mean by this?

 

[elan]

We are about to take our first venture to Bonaire staying at Buddy Dive.
What is the usual nitrox available, do they have 32 and 36% ready to go? can you ask for 35%(for 100ft). do people mosly just dive 32% and not worry about anything?
If I did not have so much time in front of a computer I am sure I would just wait another 2 weeks till I get there, but what are forums for anyway.

why would you want exactly 35%? Yes that will have ppo of 1.40 at 100ft but what's the reason of getting exactly 35%?

 

[SubMariner]

can you ask for 35%(for 100ft).

what do you mean by this?

You can ASK for anything you want. Whether or not you GET it is another matter.

If memory serves, Buddy gets their nitrox pre-mixed & banks it; they don't do the blending themselves. So I wouldn't hold out much hope of getting anything custom from them.

 

[fdog]

...now I wish I'd shot a photo of it...

They actively blend out at the drive-through nitrox station. At least, there's a couple of oxygen cylinders, the plumbing & panel for continuous blending, and all that comes out of that station is nitrox.

It wouldn't take too much to turn the dial and produce a custom mix if you wanted to. And standard trimixes are just He with 32% on top.

When I chatted with Agusto about it, we really didn't get into great detail, but I was left with the impression that they could supply anything. Whether they outsource it or make it themselves, we didn't discuss, but given the excellent equipment I saw there, I could have made any mix I wanted quite easily.

All the best, James

 

[SubMariner]

...now I wish I'd shot a photo of it...

They actively blend out at the drive-through nitrox station. At least, there's a couple of oxygen cylinders, the plumbing & panel for continuous blending, and all that comes out of that station is nitrox.

It wouldn't take too much to turn the dial and produce a custom mix if you wanted to. And standard trimixes are just He with 32% on top.

When I chatted with Agusto about it, we really didn't get into great detail, but I was left with the impression that they could supply anything. Whether they outsource it or make it themselves, we didn't discuss, but given the excellent equipment I saw there, I could have made any mix I wanted quite easily.

All the best, James

Dude, you don't need a picture... your eyballing it suits us just fine. Thanks for the info.:thumbs-up

I hope to run into Augusto at this year's DEMA (don't know when we'll be back in Bonaire). He' s a great guy.