Safety Flash
Use of pre-mixed nitrox gases
Use of pre-mixed nitrox gases
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 13/09
- DivingHazardous Substances
- Oxygen deficiency
- Diving operations
- Gas cylinderGas detector
- Contractor managementPre-use checks
Summary
A diving near miss involved third-party premixed nitrox with incorrect oxygen content. Monitoring detected 32% against an expected 36%, prompting suspension; subsequent testing found approximately 15% in some cylinders. Lessons emphasise supplier quality assurance, analysis before first use, in-line analysers and attention to individual bottles within racks.
Classifications: Oxygen deficiency; oxygen deficient; oxygen displacement; oxygen depletion.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Contractor management; contractor assurance.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Summary
An incident has been brought to IMCA’s attention where premixed cylinders or quads of nitrox gas may not have had the necessary oxygen content to sustain safe diving and the cylinder or quad may not, in fact, have contained the mix that was indicated on the label and/or accompanying paperwork.
IMCA SF 13/09. Themes: diving, hazardous substances.