Inspiration Cleaning

[ridge]

In line with JD and others, just posted this on another site

Yep Ben was right,

Earlier posts on another thread revealed source of Canadian Armed Forces Report.

See Attached PDF.

Reckon this is a must read for all existing and new rebreather divers - but reckon might also be a good product for OC divers to periodically disinfect kit, and or to disinfect hire kit prior to use.

Interesting to see that at the time of the report there was considered inadequate information on Buddy Clean although similar to Trigene.

Wonder if this has subsequently emerged. And a good question for AP is Does Buddy Clean provide the same protection as Virkon S ? (the anti corrosion issue seems moot if Virkon S is used as prescribed i.e. 1% soaked no longer than 10minutes, rinsed thoroughly with clean water)

Virkon S gets my vote and it would appear a few manufacturers vote as well - given what it actually disinfects I can't see there being any point in using anything else.

Unless someone knows different.........

Canadian Report Excerpt:

"Virkon S: This disinfectant currently used by CF divers does not have a vapour phase
[21, 22] which was a concern for the divers, and the product is considered a nonirritant
at its working concentration of 1% [17, 18, 60]. Independent testing to
evaluate the acute effects of inhalation (4-hrs at 5.5% w/v dilution with de-ionized
water) indicated no pathological abnormalities or histopathology to rats [20], and
exposure to product components was not found to be associated with a risk of
occupational asthma [19] nor were they found to present toxic effects to animals [28].
The product has been extensively tested and proven to be a broad spectrum
disinfectant, considered bactericidal, virucidal (both enveloped and non-enveloped),
fungicidal and a tuberculocide when used at its intended working concentration of 1%
for a minimum soaking time of 10 minutes [23-25, 27-30, 61-72]. The product is not
inactivated by detergents or hard water [26], but may leave a residue if recommended
decontamination procedures are not followed [31]. If the product is used as prescribed
by the manufacturer, Virkon S is not deleterious to the health or equipment of divers
and it is effective against microorganisms to which the divers may be exposed. This
product is therefore recommended for use.

Trigene: This Halogenated Tertiary Amine (HTA) composed of chlorides, amines
and sulfamic acid is an approved surface disinfectant for use on Royal Navy
Submarines (NATO Stock # 6850-99-439-7179). If the product is used according to
the manufacturers recommended directions, a minimum working solution of 1:50
(diluted from pre-prepared sachet packets), the product is considered a non-irritant"


Ding Ding


“There is nothing so annoying as to have two people talking when you're busy interrupting.”
Mark Twain

[Ian_A]

Originally Posted by Phil Ennis

Because it is the same stuff as Buddy Clean but shedloads cheaper. I did a buddy clean bottle in about 3 cleans, the Trigene is still a third full and I must have cleaned the unit about 12 times.

I was advised to use "Dettol anti-bacterial surface cleanser" - picked it up at supermarket for £1.69 for 500ml which is considerably cheaper than buddy clean. its non-bleach; no odour; no taint which might be a problem with listerene or dettol (sounds harsh to me !).

Ian

[scotth]

during my mod 1 i was recomended dettol ( the clear anti bacterial multi surface cleaner ) by my instructor i've had 3 units with 200+ hrs in water
use 10 squirts per hole and have never had a problem and its £1.50 ish for 10 washes

[broady]

Maybe it's only me but I find Buddy Clean the best solution for me. It's easy to use and it's not as if you tear through it at a rate of knots so cost isn't really relevant IMHO.

G


.

[finbar.taylor]

I must be doing somthing wrong my origional bottle of detol that I bought for the KISS is still half full and I've done 280 hours on the KISS and 150 on the inspo.

Fin

(Oh and I think the wife may have nicked a bit as I found the bottle under the sink one time)

[Timbobaggins]

I find the above mix ( shaken not stirred) is ideal.

Mix carefully and you will have a cocktail similar in texture too Napaalm.

Pour into RB Lungs, leave for 5 mins for Vapour to fill lungs, then ignite and run like f**k.

Kills all know bacteria stone dead.

And my fuggin Inspo Vision which has gone wrong again

Please do not give the above formula to anyone who you know is a member of AL Qauieda

[Johnonthesevern]

Originally Posted by Ian_A

I was advised to use "Dettol anti-bacterial surface cleanser" - picked it up at supermarket for £1.69 for 500ml which is considerably cheaper than buddy clean. its non-bleach; no odour; no taint which might be a problem with listerene or dettol (sounds harsh to me !).

Ian

I do the same as I have been told anti-bacterial surface cleaner is the same as buddy clean. However being cheap I now tend to use Asda's own brand at 69p.

Large bucket of warm water with a good splash of anti-bac' (at 69p you can afford a good splash) poor into the lungs. Wait a couple of minutes, drain then rinse. Works for me (but what do I know)

John

[peach]

Horseactive.co.uk tend to be the cheapest for Virkon S.

I bought a 5kg tub couple years back and still have 3/4 left - despite disinfecting my unit, OC stuff, the driveway, the underside of the car, my girlfriend, my kids, and the occassional vagrant who happened by at the wrong time! It's pink and smells lovely!

Hope this helps.

[kjackoj]

Yes, Virkon comes in a tub of 50 tablets for £10.95 plus postage. Each tablet makes 500 ml. It is a stronger disinfectant than the APV stuff.

Jacko.

[ridge]

Virkon (now called Rely On) -versus- Microban(QGC)

Both appear to be the top 2 products for rebreather disinfection, with Trigene II next, and Buddy Clean (a Trigene I product) somewhere after,

Doing research to gather further data to put simplified "Which Magazine" style comparison chart together.

In the meantime the article below is VERY RELEVANT irrespective of whether you are a disinfection fundamentalist, agnostic, or atheist.


MICROBAN MEMORANDA

Ever since gas rebreathers were invented there has been a need for suitable products to clean and hygienically maintain these complex life support systems.

Sport, commercial and military underwater diving with gas rebreathers is done on a worldwide basis and is growing exponentially.

The market for specialized cleaning and maintenance products for underwater diving apparatus is also growing and maturing.

A review of available literature and an Internet search reveal that some unusual materials are currently being recommended and used for gas rebreather cleaning and hygiene purposes including: antiseptic mouthwashes, household & hospital disinfectants, chlorine bleach, dishwashing soaps and other household cleaning products.

Although they may seem good in principle, using experimental cleaning and sanitizing methods on gas rebreathers is ill-advised and exposes both diver and equipment to unnecessary risks and hazards.

Unsuitable cleaning chemistries have proven detrimental to both diver and gear alike. Divers using gas rebreathers have repor ted adverse physical and sensory reactions to cleaning chemicals such as: respiratory irritation, unpleasant tastes and/or offensive odors in their breathing loops.

Poor selection of cleaning and maintenance solutions has resulted in corrosion to metals, damage to delicate sensors and degradation of elastomeric system components.

Good news, suitable cleaning and hygiene products and methodologies specifically designed for use in gas rebreathers are currently available.

Products suitable for use in cleaning and disinfecting gas rebreathers should have the following distinguishing features: compatibility with the majority of system components, ability to clean well and rinse freely, moderately alkaline pH, incorporate corrosion inhibitor, have broad antimicrobial efficacy, minimal environmental impact, pose minimal health risks, mix easily-form stable solutions with long term shelf life, and be free of dyes & fragrances. (*Products used in the US should be EPA registered and labeled for the use intended.)

The breathing loops within gas rebreathers contain numerous ridges, corrugations and crevices. Warm, dark and moist conditions within the breathing loop provide an ideal environment for the formation of biofilms (films composed of microorganisms and their metabolic byproducts).

Biofilms may cling stubbornly to host substrata and prove challenging to dislodge and remove.

As the sensations of sight and smell are the main factors used by personnel maintaining gas rebreathers to gauge a system’s cleanliness and hygiene; the “spray and hope method” simply misting components with a disinfectant solution following dives may provide a false sense of security and is therefore inadvisable.

Source removal cleaning is the most important component of a disinfection regimen. Gentle brushing or ultrasonic cleaning of system components with
a disinfectant cleaner is preferable to merely spraying with a disinfectant solution.

The most effective method to clean and hygienically decontaminate gas rebreather is to disassemble the system as far as practical and to clean & disinfect, rinse, dry and reassemble system components.

For inaccessible areas of the system, flooding with cleaner disinfectant solution and shaking or otherwise agitating is an alternate method. Using a product which simultaneously cleans and disinfects is preferable to using different products for cleaning and disinfecting.

Use of a suitable disinfectant cleaner saves time and labor and avoids potential chemical incompatibility between separate cleaner and disinfectant products.

When in the US does cleaning and disinfecting your gas rebreather violate federal law?
Is the disinfectant you are using to clean and disinfect your gas rebreather labeled and EPA approved for the use intended, is the operative question in the
US. The label on a disinfectant package or container and the accompanying instructions are a key part of the product’s governmental regulation. The label provides critical information about how to handle and safely use the product and avoid harm to human health and the environment.

It is commonly said that, “The product label is the law.” This means that using a disinfectant in a manner that is inconsistent with the use directions on the label is a violation of federal law (FIFRA) and can result in enforcement actions to correct the violations.
Failure to follow label instructions subjects violators to legal liability. It is impor tant that everyone follows label instructions when using EPA registered products. Using an EPA registered disinfectant product according to label instructions is an excellent risk management and liability reduction strategy.

American disinfectant products are held to a higher standard Disinfectant products manufactured and sold in the United States are held to a higher standard than disinfectants which are manufactured and sold in foreign countries.
Disinfectant products are closely regulated in the United States. In the US, disinfectant products are tested for both efficacy and safety. In the US product claims, use instructions, labels and accompanying marketing literature are closely regulated by the government.

The US EPA actually reviews and approves product labels.
© MSI 2007

Microban QGC was introduced at DEMA 2006 as the first EPA registered disinfectant with specific governmental approval for use to clean, disinfectant and deodorize under-water diving apparatus including regulators and rebreathers.

Samples of the product were distributed at the show and sales of the Microban QGC product were made to a wide group of diving enthusiasts including rebreather divers. At the DEMA 2007 event we received numerous reports by rebreather divers on the superiority of the Microban QGC formulation over alternatives and reorders from users who had previously ordered the products. For user reference, Microban QGC is shipped with specimen labels and MSDS for both concentrated and ready to use products.

Advantages of Microban QGC over competitive products:

- Microban QGC has specific EPA registered claims for use on underwater diving equipment.

- Microban QGC is highly concentrated (2 ounces per gallon).

- No delays. Microban QGC readily mixes with water, ready to use immediately.

- Microban QGC is alkaline while competitive products are highly acidic.

- Microban QGC when mixed with water forms a highly stable formulation with long term shelf life.

- Less costly to use. 2 ounces of Microban QGC makes an entire gallon of disinfectant cleaner solution.

- Microban QGC is formulated with a corrosion inhibitor which prevents corrosion to metals.

- The ready to use form of Microban QGC is less hazardous than the ready to use forms of competitive products.

- Microban QGC is available in your choice of fragranced or fragrance free formulations.

- Convenient choice of packages: 8 ounce and one gallon.


UNDERWATER DIVING EQUIPMENT:

To Clean and Deodorize: Use this product to clean and deodorize porous and non-porous surfaces of underwater diving equipment such as regulators,
valves, manifolds, gas re-breathers, goggles/ masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, dry suits, neoprene garments, gloves, buoyancy control devices, inflatable
wings, harnesses, hoods, water shoes, lift bags, underwater illumination devices, etc.

Immerse equipment in a solution of 2 ounces per gallon for 60 seconds.

When desirable, rinse equipment with clean water and allow to air dry prior toreuse. (Note: cleaning at 120o F temperature or lower will avoid overheating and distortion of the underwater diving equipment).

NOTE: Use in conjunction with the use instructions provided with the equipment to avoid damaging the equipment.

To Disinfect: Use this product to disinfect all hard, non-porous surfaces of the following underwater diving equipment: regulators, valves, manifolds, gas
re-breathers, goggles/masks, fins, snorkels, buoyancy control devices, inflatable wings, harnesses, hoods, water shoes, lift bags, underwater illumination
devices, etc. Immerse equipment in a solution of 2 ounces per gallon for 10 minutes. Rinse equipment with clean water and allow to air dry prior to reuse. (Note: cleaning at 120o F temperature or lower will avoid overheating and distortion of the underwater diving equipment). NOTE: Use in conjunction
with the use instructions provided with the equipment to avoid damaging the equipment.

Solutions of Microban QGC when prepared according to label instructions are alkaline in nature (pH of 12.4). Refer to equipment instructions manual to ensure compatibility with alkaline cleaning solutions.



Ding Ding