Bug factories

Pressure Seeker · 25th August 2008, 22:08

Hello all,

Posting this here as I dive a CK but I guess its relevant to any Rebreather.. a day or so after my last dive I was struck down with a pestilence or really bad man-flu to be precise. And it got me wondering… as we dive with what’s basically a cosy warm bacteria factory and as I must have had the virus before diving. I got to wondering if a virus such as the good olde common cold could survive in a rebreather..and if so for how long and do the usual disinfectants kill it..?

Celia_E · 25th August 2008, 23:24

Hibiclens (tradename) or Chlorhexidine gluconate is one of the common disinfectants for the loop, it lists Avian flu as one of the bugs it is effective against, avian flu is a bird mutated virus. I am guessing that if it is effective against that virus it is likely effective against the common cold virus as well.

Virkon is also effective against viruses (see the link for the brochure) and it is available for the disinfection of your loop as well.

http://www.alliedmedical.com/docs/Virkonbrochure.pdf

Virkon has been rebranded by DuPont as Rely-On but it is the same product if you do a search.

Hope this is helpful.

Dive safe,

Celia

25th August 2008, 22:08	#1 (permalink)
Pressure Seeker New Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durham UK Posts: 14	Bug factories Hello all, Posting this here as I dive a CK but I guess its relevant to any Rebreather.. a day or so after my last dive I was struck down with a pestilence or really bad man-flu to be precise. And it got me wondering… as we dive with what’s basically a cosy warm bacteria factory and as I must have had the virus before diving. I got to wondering if a virus such as the good olde common cold could survive in a rebreather..and if so for how long and do the usual disinfectants kill it..?
(Offline)

25th August 2008, 23:24	#2 (permalink)
Celia_E Dept. of Redundancy Dept. Megalodon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Second star to the right, straight on 'til morning... Posts: 197	Re: Bug factories Hibiclens (tradename) or Chlorhexidine gluconate is one of the common disinfectants for the loop, it lists Avian flu as one of the bugs it is effective against, avian flu is a bird mutated virus. I am guessing that if it is effective against that virus it is likely effective against the common cold virus as well. Virkon is also effective against viruses (see the link for the brochure) and it is available for the disinfection of your loop as well. http://www.alliedmedical.com/docs/Virkonbrochure.pdf Virkon has been rebranded by DuPont as Rely-On but it is the same product if you do a search. Hope this is helpful. Dive safe, Celia Last edited by Celia_E; 25th August 2008 at 23:26..
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode