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Tim Franks · 20th October 2007, 06:53

Can I suggest that as many people as possible follow up the on-line petition with individual letters to their MP's, MEP's and the PM.
I have cut pasted (if that's the expression) a copy of the letter/e-mail I have been sending - I'm not precious use it as you like. You can find the relevant addresses by visiting;

WriteToThem - Email or fax your Councillor, MP, MEP, MSP or Welsh, NI, London Assembly Member for free

Email the PM

Scuba Cylinder Valves BS EN 144-3:2003

Dear, xxxxxxx
scuba divers employ the use of cylinders containing compressed gas to allow them to breath under water. The gas within the cylinders can be air (21% oxygen), or a mix of higher concentrations of oxygen combined with nitrogen (Nitrox) or something similar with the addition of helium (trimix), these mixes are oftern anoxic to allow the diver to operate at greater depths. The mix of gas in the cylinders is pre prepared to suit a particular dive, analysed, and the cylinders are labelled. Divers use the same cylinders for whatever mix they intend to use at that time, since there is an infinite number of mixes available how else could it be done?

Proposed EU changes to SCUBA cylinder valves will require a different sized valve for nitrox and ‘air’ gas mixtures (see BS EN 144-3:2003). This change means that the diver will be required to buy additional cylinders, valves and regulators to suit, in order to differentiate between gasses of 21% oxygen (this would include gases containing less than 21% oxygen) and gases containing 22% oxygen and above. WHY?

I understand that the new standard makes no reference at all to breathing mixes including helium. Not wishing to go into too much detail, this would mean the diver lulled into a false sense of security by the new regulations and believing an M25 valved cylinder must contain ‘air’ may be ‘unpleasantly surprised’ to find it contained a ‘deep’ trimix gas containing insufficient oxygen to support life on the surface or in shallow water.

There are no problems with the current A-clamp and DIN (M25) thread size and it has not been the cause of any incidents.

The proposed EU changes will lead to confusion and increased risk and it is a wholly unnecessary cost that divers and commerce can do without.

The HSE voted against the EU proposal however, the HSE was out-voted and a new standard was created, 'BS EN 144-3:2003'. The standard does not officially become mandatory until August 2008, and it has been suggested that the UK diving industry was hoping the problem would simply go away

‘Adaptors’ to circumvent the regulations are already available to divers; unfortunately these only add additional potential failure points within, what is a life support system, and ought to be avoided.

This is a ridiculous, over simplistic, ill informed and unnecessary piece of legislation which should not be adopted.

20th October 2007, 06:53	#10 (permalink)
Tim Franks New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern England Posts: 17	Re: Nitrox cylinder valves Can I suggest that as many people as possible follow up the on-line petition with individual letters to their MP's, MEP's and the PM. I have cut pasted (if that's the expression) a copy of the letter/e-mail I have been sending - I'm not precious use it as you like. You can find the relevant addresses by visiting; WriteToThem - Email or fax your Councillor, MP, MEP, MSP or Welsh, NI, London Assembly Member for free Email the PM Scuba Cylinder Valves BS EN 144-3:2003 Dear, xxxxxxx scuba divers employ the use of cylinders containing compressed gas to allow them to breath under water. The gas within the cylinders can be air (21% oxygen), or a mix of higher concentrations of oxygen combined with nitrogen (Nitrox) or something similar with the addition of helium (trimix), these mixes are oftern anoxic to allow the diver to operate at greater depths. The mix of gas in the cylinders is pre prepared to suit a particular dive, analysed, and the cylinders are labelled. Divers use the same cylinders for whatever mix they intend to use at that time, since there is an infinite number of mixes available how else could it be done? Proposed EU changes to SCUBA cylinder valves will require a different sized valve for nitrox and ‘air’ gas mixtures (see BS EN 144-3:2003). This change means that the diver will be required to buy additional cylinders, valves and regulators to suit, in order to differentiate between gasses of 21% oxygen (this would include gases containing less than 21% oxygen) and gases containing 22% oxygen and above. WHY? I understand that the new standard makes no reference at all to breathing mixes including helium. Not wishing to go into too much detail, this would mean the diver lulled into a false sense of security by the new regulations and believing an M25 valved cylinder must contain ‘air’ may be ‘unpleasantly surprised’ to find it contained a ‘deep’ trimix gas containing insufficient oxygen to support life on the surface or in shallow water. There are no problems with the current A-clamp and DIN (M25) thread size and it has not been the cause of any incidents. The proposed EU changes will lead to confusion and increased risk and it is a wholly unnecessary cost that divers and commerce can do without. The HSE voted against the EU proposal however, the HSE was out-voted and a new standard was created, 'BS EN 144-3:2003'. The standard does not officially become mandatory until August 2008, and it has been suggested that the UK diving industry was hoping the problem would simply go away ‘Adaptors’ to circumvent the regulations are already available to divers; unfortunately these only add additional potential failure points within, what is a life support system, and ought to be avoided. This is a ridiculous, over simplistic, ill informed and unnecessary piece of legislation which should not be adopted.
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