Nitrox blending

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Firediver32

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Messages
379
Reaction score
2
Location
Rochester, NY
# of dives
500 - 999
I'm not even sure where to post this so here goes... I have access and permission to use a FD SCBA air compressor, certified for "GGA 7.1 grade E air, with additional moisture test" and access and permission to use a Medical oxygen cascade system. I am interested in getting proper training on o2 cleaning, and Nitrox blending, but first, before I bother, my question, is this grade of air (CGA 7.1 Grade E) suitable for Nitrox blending. NOT to worry, I will not attempt any mixing until i am properly trained. (i fill my air scuba tanks all the time currently)
 
Air for nitrox blending needs to be "MODIFIED GRADE E". With that said, an awful lot of the compressors out there now put out air that is that clean. Most people just don't have the air tested to that spec. It costs more to have your air tested to modified grade E so you will find it hard to find a compressor that is used only for scba which is tested to modified E. That doesn't mean the air isn't clean enough for it, only not tested for it.

This may cause some disagreement but remember, for something like 20 years or so, old timers used "regular ole air" & mixed it in "regular ole tanks" to make nitrox. I can't remember anyone getting blown up because their "regular ole tanks" weren't "O2cleaned" or their "regular ole air" wasn't tested to Modified Grade E standards.
 
You might want to check out the "Oxygen Hackers Guide" by Airspeed Press. (Or at least I think that's the right name for it).


BTW... lots of people mixing Nitrox aren't trained/certified. Chances are the guy at your local dive shop isn't trained/certified.
 

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