| What is the quality of your breathing air gases? |
| Our gases are analyzed quarterly by an independent laboratory to ensure that our breathing gases meet ultra pure standards for carbon monoxide, methane, moisture, oil, particulates, and odor. Our compressors incorporate a variety of filter systems that allows us to produce and store gases that meet what is known as the Grade E quality verification level as defined by the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) in 1997. At our fill station, just prior to our fill whips, we have a special final filter system which allows us to deliver gases that meet an even more stringent purity specification known as oxygen-compatible (OCA) as defined by IANTD through -2007. |
| |
| |
|
| |
| How can I be certain about my cylinder contents? |
| We have a simple but effective system to assure you know what is in your cylinder. You must complete a work order tag placed on the cylinder to indicate the desired final contents and pressure. The work order tag provides the fill station operator with a clear visual indication of what gas to put in the cylinder. Once the cylinder is filled, we assist you in performing an analysis of the cylinder contents in your presence. Finally, we affix a strip of non-residue adhesive "tank tape" marked with the actual contents and MOD. |
| |
| |
|
| |
| What cylinder contents labels do you recommend? |
Unlabeled cylinders are assumed to contain air. For cylinders containing a gas other than air, our recommendations differ depending upon the intended use and type of gas.
In sport diving, we recommend (but do not require) cylinders containing Nitrox with oxygen concentrations of 40% or less should be labeled with a color-coded, 6-inch-wide band. The top 1 inch and the bottom 1 inch of the band should be yellow. The middle of the band should be green with the word Nitrox in yellow.
In technical diving, the cylinder labeling has become somewhat controversial with some training agencies specifically recommending against contents labeling and others requiring contents labeling. If you you choose to label your cylinders, we recommend the following:
> Cylinders containing Nitrox less than or equal to 40% should be labeled with the words Nitrox or Breathing Gas Other Than Air.
> Cylinders containing Nitrox between 41% and 74% should be labeled with the words Decompression Mix or Breathing Gas Other Than Air.
> Cylinders containing oxygen concentrations of 75% or greater should be labeled with the word Oxygen.
> Cylinders containing Trimix should be labeled with the word Trimix or Breathing Gas Other Than Air.
> Cylinders containing Argon should be labeled with the word Argon AND the words DO NOT BREATHE.
All cylinders containing a breathing gas other than air should have a label or tag indicating the oxygen percentage currently in the cylinder and the maximum operating depth (MOD). In addition, cylinders containing mixtures with MODs less than 100 feet should have the MOD marked in 3-inch-high numbers such that the MOD is clearly visible during the dive. |
| |
| |
|
| |
| What cylinder contents labels do you require? |
| We think labels and stickers on SCUBA cylinders are in some ways counter productive because they encourage and obscure corrosion. We require all cylinders containing a breathing gas other than air to have a label or tag indicating the oxygen percentage currently in the cylinder and the maximum operating depth (MOD). We require Argon cylinders to be clearly marked with the words DO NOT BREATHE. |
| |
| |
|
| |
| Do you sell Air? |
| Yes, but we call it Normoxic Nitrox (also known as Oxygen-Compatible Air). We use the same oxygen-compatible compressors, filters, and gas-handling procedures to make our Air as we do our oxygen-enriched Nitrox mixtures. Our Air and Nitrox both meet the same ultra-pure quality standards. Although the CGA G-7.1 standard for Grade "E" Air states that it may contain from 20% to 22% Oxygen, Air is normally expected to have 20.95% Oxygen content. Because our Air travels through some of the same plumbing as our other gases, it may analyze as high as 22% Oxygen content. |
| |
| |
|
| |
| Will you fill my Nitrox cylinder with Air? |
| Yes. We can fill your Nitrox cylinder with Hyperpure Air (also known as Oxygen-Compatible Air). |
| |
| |
|
| |
