Acceptable CO Level?

[Hammerhead Ferrari]

Ok, so I purchased an Analox EII CO analyzer. On page 9, section 2.6 of the User Manual it states;

"The maximum allowable CO exposure levels for air diving vary in the standards set from one country to another, so you may want to consider referring to the applicable safety standards for your country to determine your maximum allowable CO exposure level.

However, Analox advises that the maximum allowable CO exposure levels should be to that stated in the British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) DVIS9(rev 1) document (Diver's breathing air standard and the frequency of examination and tests (Diving Information Sheet No9 (Revision 1)).

This states that: Carbon monoxide content shall be as low as possible but not exceed 3 ppm. (For air diving to 50 meters)"

FYI 50 meters = 164 feet.

So my question is, for those of you who have been using CO analyzers;

What levels are you "normally" finding?

What, if any do you find "acceptable"?

I was initially under the impression that zero was the only "acceptable" level, am I expecting too much?

Thanks for your input.

[Superlyte27]

I'm with the group of people that says there is no acceptable level of CO.

[Mark Vlahos]

I have seen a couple of 1's, but they were probably just the drift of the device as it warms up. Much like an O2 meter.

If I saw a 3 or higher I would think twice about taking that tank in the water.

Mark Vlahos


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WJH]

So far all my tests have been 0. Thankfully!

WJH

[curtschu]

Are the standards you are reading for working commercial dive operation? This might account for the level greater than 0 as an untendered free swimming diver it would seem you would want 0 since you are not being monitored from the surface and your mission is not critical.

[a64pilot]

You'll never get 0, not actually. Question is, what is the min. resolution of the devices used to measure the gas? I'm sure they are good enough to detect dangerous levels, but reliably and repeatedly detecting 1 PPM ain't easy, or usually inexpensive.

[Superlyte27]

We get 0 all the time.

[a64pilot]

Your instrument will display 0, I'm sure of that, but there is some level of CO in normal air. Sort of like absolute dark, or absolute zero, or completely quiet etc.n Depends on how fine your trying to split that hair is all. Just a personal observation, I mistrust devices that display 0, how do you know when they quit working?

[a64pilot]

Some of you smarter than I am guy's take a look at this http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/carbon.html Seems normal atmospheric levels of CO is pretty significant?

[Hammerhead Ferrari]

Are the standards you are reading for working commercial dive operation? This might account for the level greater than 0 as an untendered free swimming diver it would seem you would want 0 since you are not being monitored from the surface and your mission is not critical.

It doesn't specify if this is commercial or recreational standards, however it is not a commercial analyzer.