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air do not exceed 0.1mg/m3.
Your local XS Scuba Dealer can
help you determine whether the
breathing air they provide meets
this criterion.
Standard compressed breathing
air, often referred to as “Grade
E” does not necessarily meet
this criterion. Grade E breathing
air may contain certain levels of
hydrocarbons, including traces
of compressor oils, that while not
considered harmful to breathe,
can pose a risk in the presence of
elevated oxygen content.
Passing hydrocarbons through
a valve and regulator creates
a cumulative effect where the
hydrocarbons build up over time
along the internal passageways
of the equipment. When these
hydrocarbons come in contact
with high pressure oxygen
enriched air, they can pose a
very real hazard that can lead to
combustion.
Therefore, if a regulator has been
used with Grade E breathing air,
it should receive overhaul service,
including hydrocarbon cleaning,
prior to being put back into nitrox
service.
Although second stage
components are not subjected
to high pressure EAN, XS Scuba
recommends that the same
guidelines apply.
