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On the subject of Oxygen- At a DAN O2 course last year, it was pointed out that welding, medical and aviator oxygen differ only in the water content of the gas and the certification of the gas. Medical and welding grade oxygen have the same water content, but medical grade gas is tracked as Frank Deutschmann has already pointed out. Aviator oxygen is ultra low water content, so that at -80(at 50,000'), the oxygen regulators won't freeze due to the water in the oxygen. There is a fourth grade of oxygen, but it isn't available for sale in the US and I would have to check my notes for its specifications-my recollection is that it is wetter than all of the above. In the US, medical oxygen is usually sold in indexed pin tanks, which use regulators with a matching pins- this is to prevent doctors from inadvertently supplying a patient with pure halothane anethesic instead of oxygen. Depending on where you get your oxygen, this may complicate things. Although it is possible for someone to accidently fill your tanks with acetylene, it is unlikely; the threads are right/left handed on the two tanks. For safety reasons (uncontrolled polymerization, "bang") acetylene is sold at low presure (40psi) dissolved in acetone. Hence, it is very unlikely that anyone would be able to fill fill your tank with even a trace of acetylene, without exploding it and themselves. Still, if you taste it, I'd clear the area as fast as you can. Finally, as Rick Williams pointed out, it is in your own best interest if you have a clear system for identifying your oxygen clean tanks and regulators. If you do get your oxygen from a welding supply store, it will save you hassles if you have a tank and fittings that they are familiar with. It is less likely to cause misfills, too! It's also a great idea to have enough oxygen on the boat/in you car to get cover you until you can get a DCS struck diver to medical authorities. The life you save may be your own... Safe diving, Peter David david@la*.st*.ed*
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