Reducing the cost of Sorb

[Nick Kay]

A week or so ago I was thinking about the cost of Sorb. Had some diving coming up where I knew I was only likely to get in (say) 1-1.5hrs diving in the weekend, so my alternatives seemed to be:
1. Leave the Sorb in the unit and run the risk of it "going off"
2. Empty the scrubber and throw away some perfectly good (i.e. the top half) Sorb

This got me thinking as to whether there were any other alternatives? After some thought I wondered whether it would be possible to put (say) half the amount of Sorb in the scrubber, i.e. the Sorb has 3hr usage, I need 1hr so add in a 50% "buffer", I then only need half the Sorb...

So, options seemeingly become:
1. Half fill the scrubber. This brings with it the problem of how you get the top scrim to sit on the Sorb?
2. Use a "filler" combined with the Sorb so the scrubber is full but you're using:
- half the normal amout of Sorb
- a reclaimable filler

The best option seems to be builders/coarse send (type 1AP7 from local builders merchants).
First attempt at filling was a failure - the scrim in my unit is for Spherosorb, so I needed to take add the 797 scrim (thanks Alan)
Second attempt worked except the distribution/mix seemed to be patchy (myy CCR has a transparent scubber)
Third attempt (apologies to SWMBO for making a mess of the bread maker) seems to be spot on

An added benefit seems to be that the filler is more dense than the Sorb so I should be able to take off my weightbelt.

Thought I'd share this with you all. If there are any of you around that murky quarry just off the A63 today then maybe I'll see you there.

Will report back later

[Janos]

Nice April Fool

Seriously though, a friend of mine was taught to empty out his sorb, throw half away, and then add half fresh sorb. After his buddy very luckily survived a CO2 hit, and the subsequent HSE investigation (he was "at work") they both re-did their MOD 1's with a different instructor.

Janos

PS - I just cap the scrubber with my Narked at 90 scrubber capper and I'm happy leaving it for a couple of weeks. (Although he seems to be updating his website at the mo.)

[Adrian Kelland]

Given the cost of the kit and the training, dive boats and any accommodation, why all the effort to save the cost of some sorb? Does it really cost that much? I was under the impression that a fill was around £6. So you a talking about trying to save £3? The price of a pint in many places.

Is the sand completely dry? Usually it is damp - could this interfere with gas flow etc?

Adrian
(RB know nothing)

[Odin]

There was a 1/2 fill adapter for the Dolphing, but I would not have felt comfortable doing half the time on it.
I too have a scrubber cap from John.
Fitted it last night after yesterdays dive.

As Adrian said - is it really worth the risk? Get a proper sealing plate and plug the scubber -then you can dry and clean the rest of the unit.
Paul

[SCILLY DIVER]

Who was the Instructor............ is he still teaching this stupid practise.??????????

[sexydivebuddy]

[Morg_NZ]

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

A week or so ago I was thinking about the cost of Sorb. Had some diving coming up where I knew I was only likely to get in (say) 1-1.5hrs diving in the weekend, so my alternatives seemed to be:
1. Leave the Sorb in the unit and run the risk of it "going off"
2. Empty the scrubber and throw away some perfectly good (i.e. the top half) Sorb

This got me thinking as to whether there were any other alternatives? After some thought I wondered whether it would be possible to put (say) half the amount of Sorb in the scrubber, i.e. the Sorb has 3hr usage, I need 1hr so add in a 50% "buffer", I then only need half the Sorb...

So, options seemeingly become:
1. Half fill the scrubber. This brings with it the problem of how you get the top scrim to sit on the Sorb?
2. Use a "filler" combined with the Sorb so the scrubber is full but you're using:
- half the normal amout of Sorb
- a reclaimable filler

The best option seems to be builders/coarse send (type 1AP7 from local builders merchants).
First attempt at filling was a failure - the scrim in my unit is for Spherosorb, so I needed to take add the 797 scrim (thanks Alan)
Second attempt worked except the distribution/mix seemed to be patchy (myy CCR has a transparent scubber)
Third attempt (apologies to SWMBO for making a mess of the bread maker) seems to be spot on

An added benefit seems to be that the filler is more dense than the Sorb so I should be able to take off my weightbelt.

Thought I'd share this with you all. If there are any of you around that murky quarry just off the A63 today then maybe I'll see you there.

Will report back later

APRILS FOOL !!!!!!!

[Janos]

Originally Posted by SCILLY DIVER

Who was the Instructor............ is he still teaching this stupid practise.??????????

I am not sure. But I know the HSE did a through investigation (the guy almost died) so I doubt that he is still practicing. I hope not anyway.

The polystrene balls thing I presume is another April Fool. But just in case this turns in to a Lazarus thread and someone takes it seriously, there is a risk that you have a channel of sand or polystrene balls up one side of the scrubber, allowing CO2 to bypass all the lime and kill you.

Janos

PS - IIRC the half-fill adaptor for the Draeger gave you less than half the dive time.