Bad gas rumors.

[Rich]

With the recent rash of alleged bad gas fills and oily residue in tanks filled here in the area, Cave Excursions East will be closing down our gas station in order to exclude our system from this issue. A gas sample was sent off on March 4th to the same lab we always use (TRI Testing in Texas) and came back with a clean report, as has been the case since 3/27/05 which is as far back as I have the records. Even with this recent report, we are pulling a sample and sending to an independent lab in Gainesville to be checked for any possible contamination, and once we receive this result back I will be posting it for public review. We appreciate your patience while we work through any issue that might arise.

On another note, I really wish that people had contacted me directly instead of me having to call my buddy, Mike and find out that the tainted gas rumors were about CEE. For instance, one of the incidents that he mentioned involved a bottle that had been filled here a little under a year and a half ago and had been left to sit until just a couple of weeks ago. I have talked to the gentleman involved with this and we'd agreed that there really wasn't much we could do at this point about it due to the length of time involved. However Mike was under the impression that this gas had been purchased last week!

Lastly, we will be open our regular hours for any of you that need gear, but until we get our analysis back, we will not be serving any gas! Thanks to all those who've talked to me today about all this and offered their support, it's much appreciated!

Safe diving,

Rich

[cavediver256]

Sorry to hear about the rumors Rich......

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Glad to hear you are taking precautions, warranted or not. I don't know the full story(just read a vague post on another forum), but I'm glad you are sending samples out to verify cleanliness, even if its just to clear your name in the light of the public.

[aainslie]

Hey Rich,

For the record - I've never had anything but good results from your gas - including my last trip where I breathed them for 5 1/2 hours continuously. Sorry to hear about these rumours.

Regards,

Andrew

[JahJahwarrior]

That's what I call service! I'm really glad to say that I shop at a place that takes this much care of their customers. First class Rich, thank you!

[BigBoB]

I used your gas on Sunday for about 4.5 hrs and am still able to type.

[contender]

Rich,
If the samples come back tainted, could you please save me a couple of tanks that hand out the narcotic effect, I am going to watch the "Dark Side of the Moon" this weekend, they would come in very handy?

On a serious note, I don't think you have much to worry about, been getting gas there without any problems for a long time.

[wingman]

I am going to watch the "Dark Side of the Moon" this weekend, they would come in very handy?

Be sure to get the original wizard of oz as well and then play the dark side and no sound on the wizard (start the music on the 3rd lion roar at the mgm credit), then enjoy (with some no2 if you have it). Mutualistic symbiosis at nearly its best. The best is of course having pf on your underwater mp3 player and scootering to the far reaches of a cave (with an appropriate mix of course...entendre intended).

[WEPIV]

Rich,
If the samples come back tainted, could you please save me a couple of tanks that hand out the narcotic effect, I am going to watch the "Dark Side of the Moon" this weekend, they would come in very handy?

On a serious note, I don't think you have much to worry about, been getting gas there without any problems for a long time.

Do you mean you are going to watch "Pink Floyd The Wall?" (Which is all on YouTube now by the way.)
I recall one day doing deco at Eagle's Nest and I thought I was hearing things but it was my dive buddies underwater player with the Dark Side of the Moon cranking.

[Bill Rotella]

I have yet to have any problems with any gas purchased at venues in North Florida and Marianna. I normally switch with each cave diving trip as I try to be fair with all, but that is me.