inflation gas

[Air Guzzler]

this question may have bene asked previously so im sorry for asking again but....................

Ive recently took an interest in the tech sid eof diving

so here is my head scratcher


could somebody please expalin why as a suit inflation gas people choose to use ARGON in a 3litre cyl

what is wrong with 21% (AIR)

i do realise that is you use your eanx or trimix that the increase O2% could be dangerous as well as the possible effects it may have on reducing the life of your kit

[Scuttler]

Doesn't have to be 3L. More likely to be 1L or 1.5L.

It's believed that Argon keeps you warmer but this apparently quite subjective. Most people just fill the cylinder up with air.

[Scuby]

Argon conducts heat less well, therefore a better insuator than air. However difference compared to air is minimal. Compared to helium though, both air and argon insulate much better. Hence you'll find few people using helium mixes for suit inflation, but due to cost and availability relatively few use argon either.

David

[NotDeadYet]

Argon is a good insulator, it's used in the cavities in posh double and triple glazing for it's extra thermal properties.

In a drysuit I've found it doesn't make much difference over air unless you actually flush your suit with it i.e dump and fill a couple of times before you get in.

Generally I just use air with some good thermals if I'm going to be cold.

Cheers,

Stuart

[nigelH]

I use air in the summer and argon in the winter in a 2L ali.
Argon is better a better insulator but not that much better that I'd worry if I didn't have it sitting here.

[Air Guzzler]

Thanks guy's gut if thats the case that most people use a mixture of air or argon then why not just use your back gas instead of carrying an extra cylinder even though they are 1 2 litre.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Air Guzzler

Thanks guy's gut if thats the case that most people use a mixture of air or argon then why not just use your back gas instead of carrying an extra cylinder even though they are 1 2 litre.

Because onboard gas is for rebreathing

Ian

[MarkP]

Originally Posted by Air Guzzler

Thanks guy's gut if thats the case that most people use a mixture of air or argon then why not just use your back gas instead of carrying an extra cylinder even though they are 1 2 litre.

It's because you may well be using helium in your backgas. Use as a suit inflation gas leads to chills. I once forgot that I was breathing a normoxic mix fill, used it to inflate my suit and got very cold. It took me a while to work out why I was so chilly.

Now I just use the extra bottle all the time as it saves me having to reconfigure regs between dives.

[Marky Mark]

How many people just fill the Argon bottle up with air, it's a lot cheaper?

I normally just use a direct feed off a bailout/deco side mount.

MM

[Scuby]

Originally Posted by Air Guzzler

Thanks guy's gut if thats the case that most people use a mixture of air or argon then why not just use your back gas instead of carrying an extra cylinder even though they are 1 2 litre.

The only people I know who use a separate suit inflation bottle are either using trimix (or regularly do, and so its part of their standard kit), or rebreathers (where it might be nice to save smaller volume of diluent).

David