CO limits in tanks ( and detection of )

[coldwaterdufus]

just acquired a new Analox detector for detection of CO in my scuba tanks before diving. I cannot find any guidelines on the internet as to the recommended safety limits for detection of CO in tanks. In other words, the CO detector says "X" after a reading on a tank. Is "X" safe and what are the cuttoffs ?? What is the range on the detector that is safe to dive and what is the level after which you says" I'm not diving that tank ". Reading the instructions, calibrating it and blowing into it, I get a level of 3 .
Thanks

 

[Dsix36]

I am rather anal about this and will not tolerate ANY in my tanks.

 

[kelemvor]

This question has been asked a few times on scubaboard this year. I think the general consensus seems to be <5ppm is okay. Search and don't take my word as gospel. Personally, I'm with D636 I wouldn't dive if I had detected any CO at all.

 

[Hatul]

I've been checking my tanks with the Analox and get 0 every time, same as ambient air.

 

[kwinter]

The manual for the Analox says 3 ppm limit based on a British standard. Other sources say much higher is tolerated well. But remember that pressure is involved. I stick with 3 or less. Preferably 0.


iPhone. iTypo. iApologize.

 

[coldwaterdufus]

Thank you for the responses. Dsix36, it surprised me that I can get a level of 3 just with me blowing into it after calibration. I'd rather not have any level of CO as well. Hatul, please do me a favor and do what the instructions suggest. Deep breath, hold for 5 seconds and gently blow into the CO analyzer after calibration. I'd really like to know if you can get any readings above the "0" of calibration. kwinter, neither I nor the lds could find that 3 level anywhere in the manual. Thanks for the info. I think I'll stick with 3 or less.

 

[Dsix36]

I get mine to read 2 with my breath.

 

[Superlyte27]

0 is the correct answer.

 

[DandyDon]

If I read a 1 or 2, I accept that it may be just a rounding result as we deal with parts per million - a very tight reading. If I get 3 or more, I wonder what else is getting into the tank that should not be there.

I've been checking my tanks with the Analox and get 0 every time, same as ambient air.

And that gets boring, until you discover your first tainted tank.

 

[Hatul]

Thank you for the responses. Dsix36, it surprised me that I can get a level of 3 just with me blowing into it after calibration. I'd rather not have any level of CO as well. Hatul, please do me a favor and do what the instructions suggest. Deep breath, hold for 5 seconds and gently blow into the CO analyzer after calibration. I'd really like to know if you can get any readings above the "0" of calibration. kwinter, neither I nor the lds could find that 3 level anywhere in the manual. Thanks for the info. I think I'll stick with 3 or less.

My Analox reads 2 when I breathe into it.