First, decide on your budget when purchasing a diving tank. There are many types and prices to choose from. While the most expensive tanks often offer the best performance, they are not always the best for diving. It is best to establish a budget and to stick to it. This will keep you from going over your budget and prevent you from getting distracted by other issues. Buyer's regret can occur if you spend more money that you have the means to pay.
Nitrox can be used for shallow diving.
It is a relatively young dive gas that recreational divers are using. It is used in order to increase the water's oxygen level. It is toxic at deeper depths and more so divers should undergo specialty training before using nitrox. However, it is an excellent gas for shallow-depth diving, and it is a popular choice among recreational divers.
Divers who use nitrox can enjoy many benefits and drawbacks. The first is that you can breathe it for longer periods of time and experience less decompression sickness. Divers can also spend more time underwater and have less waiting time to get back out. You should be aware that decompression illness can occur for all divers.
Nitrox is safer than Helium. According to American Divers' Association, nitrox divers are less likely to get decompression sick. However, there have been several deaths from nitrox despite the lower risk of getting decompression sick. This is because nitrox has a lower concentration of oxygen and a high level of inertgas. DAN states that divers should test their tanks before diving and clearly mark their maximum operating depth.
In a scuba tank, pure oxygen can cause flammable and explosive conditions
Pure oxygen is dangerous in a dive tank. It must be handled with caution. In extreme cases, pure oxygen may ignite and start a fire. It is dangerous and requires special equipment. It is important that divers know how to open the valves slowly and prevent explosions. Proper preparation is also critical to the safety of the tank and filler.
Problems can arise when the tank is full or the oxygen level drops below a safe level. Because oxygen behaves different from air, compressed or nitrogen, there can be a high pressure in the tank. An explosion could result if oxygen enrichment equipment is not properly maintained or protected. A fire can be very difficult to put out if it is started.
The problem is compounded by the high velocity of oxygen from the oxygen cylinder. The high velocity of oxygen creates friction which in turn creates an ignition source. The oxygen cylinder's dead ends can lead to explosive and flammable situations.
Safety precautions before using scuba tank oxygen
Use of oxygen from a diving tank should be done safely and according to the guidelines. It is essential to regularly check the pressure gauge before diving. How long you can stay under water will depend on how much air is left in the tank. A good reserve of air is necessary to ensure you can stay underwater for at least 50 bar or 500 PSI. One way to allocate air in the tank is to follow the rule of thirds.
Also, avoid breathing underwater when using scuba oxygen. This is dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death. Overexpansion of the lungs can result from oxygen in the atmosphere. This can cause the oxygen-containing cells of the lungs to burst.