Hey everyone! So I have a few questions regarding Nitrox and equipment. I've taken a course on Nitrox (and passed all my certification exams and such) and I've also taken a course on equipment, but I seem to have forgotten this.

I just made a purchase on my first set of regulators and a computer (Aqua Lung Titan LX Supreme, Aqua Lung ABS Octopus, and Suunto Cobra computer with SK7 compass, for those who are curious) and I was wondering if I will have to get another set of regulators in order to dive with Nitrox? I can't remember exactly what my instructor said regarding this (it's been well over a year since I took the course). Is it possible to use the same set of regulators with Nitrox and, if so, what special steps do I have to go through in order to do that?

I plan on doing most of my dives with air (since it's so readily available), but I have a slight preference for Nitrox over air when it's available, so I'd like the ability to be flexible with what I'm diving.

Thanks!

~April "Oukami"

For nitrox mixes up to 40% almost every regulator will be fine. For Nitrox mixes above 40% you need to have the regulators 'in Oxygen service', a special service including Viton (or similar) 'O' rings and oxygen compatible grease. Viton is a harder substance and tends not to last as well as traditional 'O' rings so regular servicing becomes even more important.

Cylinders are a different matter. If you can get fills from a centre that has a membrane compressor you can get mixes up to 40% without cleaning your cylinder. If they don't have a membrane compressor then they will add the oxygen first, so the cylinder will need to be 'oxygen cleaned'. Oxygen cleaning has to be done at intervals according to local regulations. In the UK that is every 12 months.