Scubapro Regs and Nitrox (or not???)

[Ding Dang Doo]

Further to a thread yesterday, it seemed to come to light that there might be a problem using Scubapro regs with Nitrox...

So I've emailed them, and they have replied with the following... (can someone please explian it to me in understandable English??)

My email first...

I have just been reading a thread on a website forum that says something like ' Scubapro regulators are not compatable with new EU rulings on Nitrox... making guarantees void and raising a question mark over insurance vadility, or something similar.

Could you please let know if this is correct or not... I've been using my Scubapro regs for 2 years bbelieving them to be okay with Nitrox.

Regards

and now the reply from Scubapro...

Dear Pete

To address your concerns, firstly, SCUBAPRO do not make or enforce regulations on Nitrox or Oxygen use, this carried out by the European Commission and enforced or not by the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and HSE (Health & Safety Executive). Currently the European Norm regarding Nitrox use for regulators is if oxygen percentages are used over 21% then it is to be treated as Oxygen (100%). Then the M26 fitting for cylinders and regulators is to be used as a dedicated system for oxygen use. Currently no manufacturer is producing this fitting for the UK market, however some are being used in Europe.

There has not been any support amongst the UK diving community for this fitting and connection and to the best of my knowledge is not being enforced by either the DTI or HSE.

As regards other manufacturers statements on Nitrox use. Apeks also have a disclaimer stating ' You need to check the regulations regarding Nitrox use in your particular country as this may differ from Apeks standard policy'. What I am trying to get across is that this is not a SCUBAPRO policy on Nitrox use, we are governed by European and UK legislation which all manufacturers/suppliers are governed by.

All SCUBAPRO regulators are assembled in an Oxygen clean environment and we use Christolube (Oxygen Compatible) as a lubricant on all our regulators also. As you stated in your e-mail, you have used the regulators for Nitrox already and have had no problems. I appreciate that this whole Nitrox issue is confusing to the public as companies are stating conflicting statements with disclaimers built into them.

I am also aware of the increasing use of Nitrox, many of us are active divers ourselves and also use Nitrox, and have no intentions of destroying or hampering our business in the UK. The Dive Show at the weekend, again reiterated the diving public's positive attitude towards SCUBAPRO products and our good customer service. We take a lot of time and care on how we produce and test products and do take feedback from the public very seriously.

I don't want you to think that SCUBAPRO have produce unilateral decisions on legislation regarding Nitrox use. If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact me

Regards
James Lutener
Scubapro-Uwatec After Sales & Technical Services UK

james@scubapro-uwatec.com


Can anyone explain this to me laymans terms... and is my insurance valid or not???

Ta

3D

[Brian of Aquanauts]

Your issue is not with an individual manufacturer, but with the EUs ruling on making nitrox threads a different size than normal ones.

However at this time the UK has not adopted the M26 thread standard (you know M25 is the name of the type of valve on your cylinder, ie when you screw out the insert you have an M25 thread).

This whole thing is about whether or not the UK adopts the rule that forces everyone to put different valves on their nitrox cylinder. If they do then obviously your normal scubapro reg, or any din reg for that matter will not fit the valve on the cylinder, therefore is not compatible.

Does that help

Brian

[Jimmy Blake]

I think they are saying, "yes you can but don't sue us if it all goes pear shaped". Looks like a case of saying we are O2 compatible but we need Teflon shoulders in case something goes wrong in teh future.

In all honesty. must regs will support up to 40% as long as they don't use nitroglycerin as lubricant ;-)

James

[MATTBIN]

A while back I believe the Germans took up the m26 thread.
Add to that the 'clean' status. Most manufacturers state in the UK that their regs are Nitrox suitable up to 40%. However if you use a higher % e.g. a deco bottle at 50/80/100% a different 'clean' applies I believe as some of the seals may not be suitable (I'm guessing here as I only use 40%, ask an accelerated deco person). It would appear that EU countries other than us (UK) dictate that ANY Nitrox (above 21%) use will be assumed to be 100% and therefore UK 'clean' at 40% would be unsuitable.

Bottom line seems to be you're OK to 40% and the thread isnt going to change for the forseeable future. (fingers crossed)

Matt