DraegerSorb shelf live ?

ebon.hawk

Just going through the dates on the the DraegerSorb I was given when I brought the Dolphin second-hand, and still being a newbie to rebreathers I hope someone can answer this.

I have 2 x 18kg and several 4.5kg containers of unopened DraegerSorb but looking at the dates I see the expiry date has long past on the 2 x 18kg tubs ( 07-2004 batch 60029 ) and for the 4.5kg ones ( 01-2006 batch 60045 )

Is it worth disposing of all this sorb and buying new, seems a waste to throw it ?

Andy

Freef

Hi Andy,

I might be tempted to chuck the 2 year old stuff, but I would possibly do a shallow [10m max] dive for an hour to see how far the hot spot on the scrubber moved. If it was still half way ish I would then use the scrubber for a maximum of 1 hour before dumping it. But then you know how much of a plank I am.

Most products shelf lives are conservative, I'm not sure about 2 yr old stuff though. The 2006 exp date would still be good though.

David

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David.

Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.

TordoffR

The one and only shelf life that I would be concerned with is your own. At the price of the stuff, why would you even question it??? What is your life worth? Just my opinion and I'm sure others may feel differently, but those extra few fills don't even come close to the value of my lowly life. Please think twice about it.

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Rich
"It's better to burn out, than to fade away."

Freef

You wouldn't have to even dive to check the life of the zorb, just wear the Rebreather around the house for an hour to see how far the front moves. Andy is new to RB's and HOPEFULLY won't be jumping in for a 30m dive straight away, as he's an ex student of mine he hadn't bl**dy better.

Drager make medical products as their main business, and I can't for the life of me think why they got into Rebreather's, although they do make BA sets for above water use. The scrubber life will be very conservative. If you tried a fill it would be a risk, but if you couldn't feel a warm spot after a 20 min dive / wear around the house then it's time to chuck the scrubber. As it has been in a sealed container from new, and I am not aware of any other reaction that could degrade the scrubber it may be OK to use for an hour per fill.

When I learnt to dive on the Drager Dolphin the word from on high was a 3 hour scrubber life, when I bought my unit it was down to two hours. I haven't pushed past two hours on a fill yet, but after a couple of hours diving the hotspot is still only just past mid way.

As I said in my original post, I would most likely chuck the scrubber that was 2 years old, but I would possibly dive or wear it around the house as a matter of curiosity more than anything.

Mind you I should of thought of Andy's disasters on OC before recommending he tries out the scrubber. I hear he as a loyalty card from a recompression chamber...

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David.

Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.

ebon.hawk

Well I'll dump the old stuff, and after being read the riot act from the wife tonight I'll probably dump the others, kitty litter anyone ?

Loyalty card ? More like a frequent flyer discount :-)

Had to move to Holland to ensure I was below sea level so no further risk of DCI !

Seriously Dave am I that infamous in ClubSubstandard ?

Freef

Hi Andy,

If the expiry date is 01-06 it is still good until the end of the month anyway. Don't bin the 2 small containers as on a weekend away you can fill up one of the small ones which will give you a refill without dragging the 18KG container around with you.

I thought that your missus knew that my standard rate for unwanted spouse disposal was 10% of the life insurance anyway?

I did try to kick you into shape on your rescue course, but I blame other instructors. CE is in spurs and a ten gallon hat as I understand it!!!

Your reputation is that you got a bend, that's all, so you're not quite as infamous as some [cough] yet.

I hope it wasn't you that inspired the poster in the bogs at Cheppy:

Piccy of big yellow heli with a slogan to the effect of 'if you are a frequent flyer, sort out your profile!'.

May the only bubbles be from the OP valve.

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David.

Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.

Bubble Boy

Hi Guys,

Bin the 2004 stuff it's gone and long forgotten. The 01-2006 stuff should be good for another 12 months. We've had some expired stuff going around in Australia and I've dived 5 months after expiratrion without problem.

As a rule of thumb I try not to dive expired sorb but hell why through away good sorb if it's in the tub and sealed all should be good for a while.

BTW I thought the scrubber duration for a RAY was 120 minutes and 240 minutes for a Dolphin (the Atlantis was a 180 minutes scrubber as it was single wall)

Just my Humble opinion

caveseeker7

Link to Dräger's document regarding scrubber duration.

Because they've been at it for 99 years?

Does Dräger recertify their DiveSorb?

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Cheers
Stefan



"It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass!

Su amigo Roberto!"

Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!

Bubble Boy

I'm not sure and don't quote me on this but I think the Rebreather work they did spawned the medical division. Also Drager have an enormous amount of military and emergency RBs out in the field with both armed forces and emergency services.

BTW Stefan thew link goews to a 1999 version document which has since been updated. I know for a fact the scrubber duration on the ray was lifted to 120 minutes from 70 and am sure the Dolphin was lifted to 240 minutes from 180. I just have to find the web link now!!

caveseeker7

It's issued by Dräger and Aqualung and © in 2003.

__________________
Cheers
Stefan



"It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass!

Su amigo Roberto!"

Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!