Your Opinion: Using Small LP Scuba Cylinder for Emergency O2?

[rx7diver]

Members,

One of my three OMS/Faber LP46's (all three cylinders purchased new ca. 1995) developed paint blisters after about two years of use (in and around the Great Lakes). In 1998 or so I had my local vo-tech high school bead-blast it down to bare metal, and then I painted it with Rustoleum galvanizing paint. It has sat plugged, unused, ever since.

I am thinking about repurposing this cylinder for use as an emergency oxygen bottle. I will need to have it hydro'd and O2-cleaned (of course) and stickered/stenciled appropriately, and I will need to decide what kind of valve I want to put on it (O2 scuba valve, CGA540 valve, or CGA870 valve) and then purchase it.

What do you think of this idea? Any other considerations, things I maybe should be thinking about? I also have a Luxfer Al 40 I could use for this, instead ...

TIA,
rx7diver

 

[tursiops]

Members,

One of my three OMS/Faber LP46's (all three cylinders purchased new ca. 1995) developed paint blisters after about two years of use (in and around the Great Lakes). In 1998 or so I had my local vo-tech high school bead-blast it down to bare metal, and then I painted it with Rustoleum galvanizing paint. It has sat plugged, unused, ever since.

I am thinking about repurposing this cylinder for use as an emergency oxygen bottle. I will need to have it hydro'd and O2-cleaned (of course) and stickered/stenciled appropriately, and I will need to decide what kind of valve I want to put on it (O2 scuba valve, CGA540 valve, or CGA870 valve) and then purchase it.

What do you think of this idea? Any other considerations, things I maybe should be thinking about? I also have a Luxfer Al 40 I could use for this, instead ...

TIA,
rx7diver

I have an AL40 with a DIN valve kept full of O2. USeful for both deco and for emergency use (with an adapter).

 

[rx7diver]

I have an AL40 ...

@tursiops,

I read (somewhere) that an emergency O2 bottle is NOT required to be VIP'd annually (since it never goes in the water, never gets submerged)--which is one of the reasons I am considering a CGA870 (or CGA540) valve. Only needs to be hydro'd every five years. Have you, too, heard this?

rx7diver

 

[PfcAJ]

@tursiops,

I read (somewhere) that an emergency O2 bottle is NOT required to be VIP'd annually (since it never goes in the water, never gets submerged)--which is one of the reasons I am considering a CGA870 (or CGA540) valve. Only needs to be hydro'd every five years. Have you, too, heard this?

rx7diver

VIP is a scuba industry standard. No force of law behind it in the US.

 

[Tracy]

@tursiops,

I read (somewhere) that an emergency O2 bottle is NOT required to be VIP'd annually (since it never goes in the water, never gets submerged)--which is one of the reasons I am considering a CGA870 (or CGA540) valve. Only needs to be hydro'd every five years. Have you, too, heard this?

rx7diver

I don't think I have ever seen an 870 or a 540 valves in 3/4 NPS. I tend to keep scuba valves in scuba tanks. Makes life easier.

 

[happy-diver]

Yeah man what else are you going to do with your currently lonely unpurposed tank
You should see the stuff I have grabbed from the tip for such purposes up to 165bar

 

[Capt. Bas]

That's what I'm going to do after the hydro of my 40Cuff later this year.
All equipment is avaialable and I've got a 02 clean stage as on demand system and an adapter and a 02 free flow reducer and mask for free flow.
To say it in Dutch. "Beter me verlegen dan om verlegen.
A rough translation: Better to have one and don't us it instead of not having one and needing one.

 

[rx7diver]

That's what I'm going to do after the hydro of my 40Cuff later this year.
All equipment is avaialable and I've got a 02 clean stage as on demand system and an adapter and a 02 free flow reducer and mask for free flow.
To say it in Dutch. "Beter me verlegen dan om verlegen.
A rough translation: Better to have one and don't us it instead of not having one and needing one.

I no longer do technical dives--at least, I haven't done this type of dive in many years. So, I don't plan to be using mine as a deco cylinder (don't plan to be submerging it), and I don't plan to use a [oxygen serviced] scuba reg with it.

I do have some concerns:

1. Is it possible that I might want to again use it as a deco cylinder some day?

2. Where would I get it filled if it has a [oxygen service] scuba valve on it? There are no tech scuba shops near me.

3. If I put a CGA870 (or CGA540) valve on it, will a local shop that fills medical or aviation oxygen cylinders fill it? I am leaning more toward one of these valves, though. I wouldn't want someone grabbing the cylinder and going diving with it. I wouldn't want someone turning it on as quickly as one might turn on a cylinder filled with air or recreational nitrox. And (especially with the CGA870) I like the additional protection against accidental turn on when it is riding in the back of my car/minivan.

rx7diver

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I have a dedicated 80AL with 100% 02 for emergency only O2 on my boat. I don't worry about VIP's because that would only come into play in the event that I actually use any of the O2....and needed a refill. Not in the plan!

I also have no plans for this to be used as a deco cylinder.....so I keep it ridiculously marked to make that crystal clear....... plus the local tech shop knows me and understands my intended use so they are cool with refills and appreciate how I have my tank marked.

I do have a dedicated O2 reg because that gives me on demand 100% only to a conscious diver plus the bonus option of using my RescuEAN........ plus the additional option of running a 2nd stage on a long hose for IWR at 15-20ft. PLUS..... the RescuEAN gives me options if I have other tech divers onboard who have deco tanks available.

Anyway..... it may not be the preferred plan....... but at least it's a plan!

 

[rx7diver]

I have a dedicated 80AL with 100% 02 for emergency ...

Nice setup--especially the hydration/electrolytes and aspirin!

rx7diver