The Importance of Clean Equipment When Using Pure Oxygen for Diving

When using pure oxygen for diving, it is essential to use oxygen-cleaned cylinders and, most importantly, clean valves. But why is this necessary? The short explanation is that although oxygen itself is not an explosive gas, it can pose a significant hazard when forced through a narrow space (creating friction) in the presence of contaminants. These contaminants can trigger a potentially explosive situation. Filling a cylinder with pure oxygen should be done slowly, and it is crucial to ensure that the cylinder does not overheat during the process.

While the cylinder—with its relatively wide opening and spacious interior—poses a lesser risk, the valve is the critical component where the danger is most pronounced. This is why it is vital for those filling cylinders to check that they are clearly labelled as suitable for oxygen use and have been properly cleaned. The cylinders should also be inspected annually to ensure safety.

Having serviced diving cylinders for over two decades, I have witnessed numerous situations where sheer luck prevented serious accidents. During the meticulous cleaning process, it is equally important to inspect each component of the valve between the different cleaning stages. Personally, I use a magnifying loupe with 10x or 5x magnification for this work.