Bad gas rumors.

[barney00]

It would be prohibitively expensive to test the gas every time a tank was filled, and test results would be back long after the gas was breathed, in most cases.

Every day, Rich's gas is tested by divers using it, in a variety of situations underwater. I have hundreds of hours on his gas and I think anyone who has spent an hour hanging out talking with Rich (because unlike many people in cave country, he's nice) knows that East sees plenty of business.

Rich runs tests of his gas just as often as any gas station--ask him and he'll show you his latest testing results. Give him a call and I bet he'll dig up numbers from as far back as you want to wait on the phone for. Infact, I believe his last results are displayed where they are easy to read, unlike some places that have them hidden in the compressor room or in the back office. He ran an extra set of tests because some people were making serious claims that he had to address. Now that those claims have been addressed...well I would mention how damaging slander is to a business, but it's better to ask, why aren't the people who started the rumors, still attempting to spread them?

So, according to all those test results, we can infer that nothing has ever happened to the compressor to introduce contaminated gas in that time period. Ever. Just pure, clean gas? Anyone that knows the business in question knows that is not necessarily the case. There have been past posts in the forums over the years informing people the compressor was down for repairs. Look, a compressor is a machine. Machines fail. Even when you take good care of them, things break. And if you want potential explanations why random, isolated gas issues can occur, please read up on the thread over on TDS. Some very good technical information that can explain how compromised filters can allow slugs of bad gas through the system has been posted over there.

Still think its all rumors? Why don't you ask Rich straight-up if he was informed that a trusted friend got foul-gas recently, which likely convinced him that it was not all rumors and BS? I know the answer to that question, but I don't think that will satisfy many of you so I encourage you to ask him yourself. Rich is an honest stand-up guy, so I am positive he will tell you what's what.

In the past few years, several divers have died due to bad gas around the world. Including cave divers. That's documented and proven fact. Information has been posted. Hopefully some will start double-checking their gas - in the unlikely, rare chance you get bad gas. It could potentially save you from having a very bad day.

[Puttzer]

Probably we should all know this but here goes anyway:
what is the most common and /or dangerous contamination in our diving gases?

Which lead to the next question: can any of these be checked by divers themselves after their tanks are filled?

[JahJahwarrior]

So, according to all those test results, we can infer that nothing has ever happened to the compressor to introduce contaminated gas in that time period. Ever. Just pure, clean gas? Anyone that knows the business in question knows that is not necessarily the case.

Still think its all rumors? Why don't you ask Rich straight-up if he was informed that a trusted friend got foul-gas recently, which likely convinced him that it was not all rumors and BS?

In the past few years, several divers have died due to bad gas around the world. Including cave divers. That's documented and proven fact.

The fact that sometimes compressors break down does not give you the right to slander someone's business and good name. Furthermore, it does not mean that your modus operandi should be to spread rumors in an attempt to get the word out. What should be done is a quick call to the man in charge of the compressor, and it is my understanding that the man in charge had to call you. Not to mention, you never spread rumors when Wayne's compressor was down for a few days for repairs. Why not spread the hate?

As far as Rich being informed that a trusted friend "got foul gas RECENTLY"... I know Rich gives out receipts. I keep all mine (hidden, so the girlfriend doesn't see how much I spend on breathing gas). Can you show us the date on the receipt of the gas in question?

I'm not denying that people die due to bad gas. I am questioning your methods of operation, which do not lend themselves to quick resolution of problems.

[Sludge]

Okay, the horse is dead enough. I'm closing this pending a decision by the moderators.

It may be unlocked soon, it may not. It's up to the other mods.