Before you decide to buy a scuba diving tank, it is important to determine your budget. There are many options, prices and features that you should consider. Although the most expensive tanks offer the best performance, they may not be the best for diving. It is best to set a specific budget and stick to it. This will stop you from overspending and allowing you to be distracted by other things. You could regret buying later if your spending exceeds your means.
The shallow diving gas Nitrox, is called Nitrox.
Recreational divers use Nitrox, a relatively recent dive gas. It is used to increase the oxygen concentration in the water. Nitrox is more harmful than regular air at deeper depths. Divers must complete specialty training before diving with nitrox. However, it's a popular gas choice for recreational divers.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to diving with nitrox. First, you can breath it for longer periods and have less decompression sickness. It allows divers to spend longer underwater and take less time getting back out. However, decompression sickness can happen for any diver, so if you are a novice or are planning a dive with a group of divers, it is important to consult the dive table for the recommended surface intervals.
The second advantage is that it is safer than helium. According to the American Divers Association (ADSA), there is a lower chance of getting decompression sickness if you use nitrox. Even though nitrox presents a lower risk of decompression illness, there have been many fatalities. The reason is that nitrox has a high concentration of inert gas and lower concentration of oxygen. DAN believes that divers will test their tanks before diving. It also encourages them to clearly mark the maximum operating depth.
A scuba tank with pure oxygen can have flammable or explosive situations
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. Divers must use special equipment to handle it safely. To avoid an explosion, they must be able slowly open the valves. Safety of the filler and tank is also important.
Overfilling the tank or lowering the oxygen level to a safe level can cause problems. Because oxygen behaves differently from compressed air or nitrogen, the pressure inside the tank may be very high. An explosion could result if oxygen enrichment equipment is not properly maintained or protected. If a fire occurs, it could be extremely difficult to put out.
The high velocity and pressure of oxygen in the oxygen cylinder compound the problem. This high velocity causes friction, which can ignite. Dead ends in the oxygen cylinder can also create flammable or explosive situations.
Safety precautions to be taken before using scuba-tank oxygen
Use of oxygen from a diving tank should be done safely and according to the guidelines. Before diving, make sure to inspect the pressure gauge. The tank's air level determines how long you are able to stay underwater. You should always have enough air in the tank to allow you to surface 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 a dangerous practice that can lead to serious injury or death. Lung over-expansion caused by oxygen in the air can result in air bubbles leaving the lungs. The oxygen-containing cells in the lungs may burst.