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Equipment Compatability

I guess we+ve all gotten used to all kinds of waivers stating that +this
piece of equipment is specifically designed for 21 % oxygen+. It+s all a
result of the American legal system where some less proud and free citizens
may sue anybody for whatever goes wrong. Regulators, suits and BC+s are all
specifically designed for air these days. It+s about time this hedging
backfires on the manufacturers. To put it simple, if manufacturer X makes a
splendid regulator that can+t be trusted for 40 % nitrox  - buy another
one!  We all know that whatever works with air works just as well with
reasonable nitrox mixes. Even heliox is OK in most cases, but will require
fatter O - rings in some. The only real issue is oxygen cleaning of tank
valves if used for direct partial pressure mixing. If manufacturers are
forced to look into the issue of compatability they will find that few if
any modifications are called for. This will eventually speed up the process
of gaining acceptance for mixed gases. If we just keep on ignoring the
crotchety warnings and disclaimers, skeptics will continue to refer to the
unresolved compatability issue. Lets resolve it right away - don+t buy
+incompatible+ equipment! And, make sure that the dealer gets to know why
you turn it down.

Hans P. Roverud

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