Use of Oxygen-Enriched Mixtures in Recreational SCUBA Diving -- Is the Public Being Informed of the Risks?

Use of Oxygen-Enriched Mixtures in Recreational SCUBA Diving -- Is the Public Being Informed of the Risks?
Author: H. Gabel
Publisher:
Total Pages: 8
Release: 1997
Genre: Cleaning
ISBN:

The use of enriched air mixtures, often called nitrox, has been getting more and more attention in the recreational diving community. This is especially true since major recreational diving organizations are starting to certify non-technical divers for oxygen-enriched nitrox diving. The decompression physiologists have explained both the risks and benefits of oxygen-enriched nitrox use in the diving literature. However, there are other risks that divers need to know about when using oxygen-enriched air. There is a belief in some groups in the diving community that any mixture less than 40 percent oxygen can be handled in the same manner as high pressure air.

Another Dangerous Practice in the SCUBA Diving Community

Another Dangerous Practice in the SCUBA Diving Community
Author: Thomas Tillack
Publisher:
Total Pages: 10
Release: 2012
Genre: TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
ISBN:

The widely held incorrect belief in the self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving community, that oxygen-enriched gas mixtures, so-called NITROX, with an oxygen content of up to 40 Volume % can be considered as regular air, has already been refuted in many papers. Now, another dangerous practice has drawn the attention. In a market study, more than 60 representative SCUBA cylinder valves were examined. Sales offices claim that all of those valves can be used for oxygen-enriched gas mixtures. The fact is that some of these cylinder valves are for air use only. By exchanging the nonmetallic materials and applying additional cleaning procedures, these air valves become so-called "oxygen clean." Then, the valves are on sale for oxygen-enriched service. This procedure is dangerous because the labeling pretends a pseudo-safety. All of the 60 SCUBA cylinder valves were tested applying the standardized oxygen pressure surge tester at BAM. As suspected, many of the cylinder valves are not burn-out safe. In addition, different test results were received for actual new valves, for so-called new but temporarily stored valves, and for used valves. This paper reveals another dangerous practice and wants to alert the SCUBA diving community.

Oxygen and the Diver

Oxygen and the Diver
Author: Kenneth Donald
Publisher:
Total Pages: 248
Release: 1992
Genre: Decompression sickness
ISBN:

Oxygen poisoning is, after decompression sickness, the second most important threat to the diver. This book is the first to be entirely devoted to the subject. The author, an acknowledged authority in the field, covers all situations where oxygen or hypertoxic gas mixtures are employed at increased pressures, and reviews many of the factors which may affect the incidence of poisoning.

Use of Helium-oxygen Mixtures in Mixed-gas Scuba Oxygen Limits Operation Pulse-beat

Use of Helium-oxygen Mixtures in Mixed-gas Scuba Oxygen Limits Operation Pulse-beat
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 34
Release: 1961
Genre:
ISBN:

Eighty dives were executed to explore the use of helium-oxygen mixtures in mixed-gas diving with regard to oxygen toxicity. The double-blind technique was used to test 40% and 50% oxygen in helium mixtures at eight depth-time intervals. The Experimental Diving Unit method of underwater electrocardiography was used for the first time in an attempt to predict the onset of oxygen toxicity prior to the convulsion manifestations. No evidence of oxygen toxicity was exhibited even though the presently accepted depth-time oxygen exposure limits were greatly exceeded. (Author)