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Regarding Steve Lewis's points: For the most part, I agree. >the real point should be not whether a nitrox tank has air in or not Correct, it should not be. I feel until this segment of the industry matures and stabilizes, picayune points like this will have to be addressed. Until standards become clear and accepted we may have to be more formal than we'd like, or than we'll be later. With regard to air in a nitrox tank, I did not mean to imply hydrocarbon free air could not be introduced to a nitrox tank, ie for partial pressure blending or mix adjusting. I was referring to the final mix being under 22%. The issue of "air" in a nitrox tank - ie fO2 less than say, 22%, has more to do with that formality of staying on the literal side of the labeling issue. "Air" is a nitrox, but it is not EAN. I think, overall it's a small issue, but leads to a slippery slope if allowed to expand. I don't believe clean air in a nitrox tank is potentially dangerous. But I believe on staying on the right side of the line. What about 20%?, 19, 15?, etc..... Most agree that nitrox in an unmarked tank is far more dangerous, we all know why and I dont need to repeat it. I'm sorry if I mislead regarding recleaning. I see the system, however flawed or cludgy it may be as such: Putting less than 22% fo2 in the cylinder - remove the nitrox labeling, the contents are not EAN. Want to go back into nitrox service? Fine, what's the procedure? VIP and clean if necessary. If all the gas has been hydrocarbon free all along, then as I said, recleaning wouldnt be necessary. Maybe in the future, clean air in nitrox labeled tanks will be more acceptable. For now as the industry grows and EAN remains a small minority and largely new to the masses, I feel we must be clear and consistent in all aspects of handling - that means non-breathing air in unmarked tanks, and air in "nonair" tanks. I see the shortterm labeling formality and inconvenience as having big, long term positive credibility payoffs. >be used in an <open> environment, since the other divers in the vicinity >may not have the training/experience/sense of self-preservation to check >for an MOD. Exactly. Rat
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