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At 8:37 PM 11/9/95, RatDiver wrote: >Unmarked cylinders, assumable, by untrained, run of the mill divers to be >compressed air. [...] >"Absolute personal responsibility?" Of course, for me, for you, we *know* what >to do. The world at large does not dive from the same self sufficient, >survival >point of view. Labels are there to protect them too. Does a nonnitrox >trained, air diver, picking up an air cylinder have to analyze it before use? >And if so, for what? And how do we reeducate everyone to know this? > >"If you use my tanks, you might die." - Your tank had better make some effort >to get that point across. Sure no one should be touching them in the first >place. That, by virtue of your story is already past the point. . Skull and >cross bones, danger, high voltage, beware of dog, warning, caution, KEEP AWAY - >all meant to protect the unaware. It's almost like removing the labels on >medicine bottles.... You're "rat" on! If I may assume the soapbox ... Any tank that does not contain 21% O2 should be labeled as to its contents. The defacto standard for recreational diving is 21%. No other mix is allowed by law. These tech divers who are using anything else are not in compliance with OSHA diving regulations. But we'll not press the point except to say that the labeling requirements are essential to protect not only the intended user, but the public in general. If we as a diving community are not careful, the government will rightly step in and regulate us right out of the water. I don't think any of us want the regulation imposed by the government. But regulation is essential. Therefore we better regulate ourselves. There is nothing wrong with putting 21% Nitrox in a Nitrox labeled tank if you have total control of the tank. I can understand why some operators would refuse to put O2 in a tank that had 21%. The history of the tank is suspect. We need to label all non-air tanks as such. Nitrox tanks should always have a history of analysis attached. In fact, I would advocate that each time a tank is tested, the date, test results, and operator should be noted on the log attached to the tank. I also agree with George that the MOD should be displayed on the tank in a highly visable manner. If we would all adopt these conventions, we can help protect each other. Divers can and will be taught that Nitrox tanks exist and that they should NEVER use one until they are properly trained in the procedures. With uniform marking conventions, every diver would learn to recognize the MOD concept and who knows, they just might be the one who "saves your ass" when they realize that you are using a tank below its indicated depth. ---- Richard Wackerbarth rkw@da*.ne*
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