I booked a nitrox tank for the second dive of a two-tank trip with a well-respected dive op that is regularly praised on scubaboard. When I asked to check the mix, I was told that the boat didn't have a gauge. The head guy of the operator, who's an instructor and also was a DM on the boat, told me, "Trust me. It's a 34% mix -- I checked it myself." To make a long story short, I refused the tank, and after a small bit of fussing, the boat gave me "regular" air instead. Was I correct to refuse the nitrox?
verifying nitrox mix
- Thread starter Valwood1
- Start date
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beachdivequeenbelam
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yes, most definitelyValwood1:
You are the one who is utimately responsible for checking your mix. It is in the book, on the test,and in the knowledge reviews. You were right.
Valwood1:
Not only were you correct you would have been crazy to do otherwise. BTW who were they and why didnt you mention their name in the first place?
BTW it's a sensor not a gauge. It's the head guy of the operation and as far as I know you have to be a divemaster to become an instructor, so thats a given.Other than that great job. I admire people who will stand up for themselves in these situations.
I know one guy who wouldn't trust the boats analyzer even if they had one. He brings his own to the LDS. Maybe the boat expects that if you don't want to take their word for it, you should have your own analyzer.
In fact, how do you know the other tank was just air???
In fact, how do you know the other tank was just air???
If you dive Nitrox, you should own your own analyzer.
If you do not own your own analyzer, then make it your next purchase and avoid any more "issues".
I own an Analox O2EII, its small, uses no hoses or flow meters, water proof and shock resistant, and has a 4 year warranty. Paid $279.95 US for the unit from Leisure Pro.
If you do not own your own analyzer, then make it your next purchase and avoid any more "issues".
I own an Analox O2EII, its small, uses no hoses or flow meters, water proof and shock resistant, and has a 4 year warranty. Paid $279.95 US for the unit from Leisure Pro.
pt40fathoms:
Does it need annual service , have parts that require replacement?
I disagree with one thing. I don't feel that it is necessary to own your own analyzer. It is handy and I do have one. But, if the operation is filling nitrox, they should have an analyzer (and some form of content labeling) available. The operation of the analyzer can be verified by testing it on a tank of straight air first.
You did the right thing. I was suprised by one shop that I dealt with that was ready to hand me my doubles without me seeing the O2 analysis firsthand and didn't have a log for me to fill out on my nitrox fill. I won't mention the op for the same reason that I imagine that the original poster didn't. I hope that they recognize themselves and that this deal was a fluke. I am not out to hurt anyone's business over a simple mistake when nobody got hurt (PS, I also analyzed the gas at the hotel room.).
Simple, if you dive it... You should be seeing the analysis. Trust no one else to do it for you.
You did the right thing. I was suprised by one shop that I dealt with that was ready to hand me my doubles without me seeing the O2 analysis firsthand and didn't have a log for me to fill out on my nitrox fill. I won't mention the op for the same reason that I imagine that the original poster didn't. I hope that they recognize themselves and that this deal was a fluke. I am not out to hurt anyone's business over a simple mistake when nobody got hurt (PS, I also analyzed the gas at the hotel room.).
Simple, if you dive it... You should be seeing the analysis. Trust no one else to do it for you.
Battery is user replaceable, does not require annual service, and the sensor is available from many sources including Analox who is the manufacturer of the O2 sensor itself.Brian Gilpin:
Go to www.analox.net for more info.
OOPS, the warranty is 3 years prorated on the sensor and only 2 years on the electronics for the Analox.
My bad, sorry. :11:
My bad, sorry. :11:
Any responsible fill station is going to insist that the diver who is using the gas fills out a fill log. Part of the fill log is your signature approving the analysis which you either conducted yourself or at least witnessed.
Any responsible instructor is going know that divers are taught to verify the mix personally and will not try to get you to do otherwise.
Some one brought up another good point and that's even if you're diving air, how do you know it's air if you didn't analyze it?
Any responsible instructor is going know that divers are taught to verify the mix personally and will not try to get you to do otherwise.
Some one brought up another good point and that's even if you're diving air, how do you know it's air if you didn't analyze it?
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