Nitrox workshop dings - Divers Alert Network

Rubicon Foundation Archive (http://rubicon-foundation.org)Hardy: No such thing as "safe" airEXPERT WITNESS REPORT BY JON HARDYThe following is an edited version of the Expert Witness Report by Jon Hardy insupport of the defense of the legal action, based on the accident described in this"Lesson for Life " as it appeared in RSD Magazine.Issues1. UseofnitroxNitrox or EAN is simply an alternative gas for scuba divers to breathe; it provides bothadvantages and disadvantages. By decreasing the nitrogen content of the air and increasing theoxygen content, decompression requirements are lessened, but the risk of oxygen toxicity isincreased. In 1992, nitrox was still considered a technical diving technique, but training waseasily available particularly on the East Coast. Today nitrox is considered part of generalrecreational diving.[The Victim] violated several commonly accepted safe practices of nitrox diving:• He was not trained or certified for nitrox diving• He did not acquire his nitrox from a reputable source, but made a home brew of unknownquality• He knowingly exceeded the maximum operating depth (MOD) for the nitrox he wasusing by going to 125-135 feet with 38.8% oxygen• He did not use oxygen clean tanks that were properly labeled, plus he regularly misled orhid this from others.By being irresponsible he put others who would later attempt to rescue him at risk. Hisdisregard for the reasonable and accepted oxygen limits (1.4 to 1.6 atm) caused him to haveoxygen toxicity that lead to convulsions, drowning and finally a gas embolism.2. Divemaster dutiesThe common practice in the diving field is for dive boats to supply the divemaster whenconducting an open boat trip (the boat sells individual spots directly to divers) or when a chartergroup requests a divemaster. Otherwise, as was the case here, the charter group is to supply thedivemaster if in fact one is even needed. The primary duties of a divemaster are to assist diversand the skipper of the vessel in the conduct of dive operations. There is absolutely no way adivemaster can control divers in the water. There also is no standard:1. That a divemaster is to, or can, ensure the safety of divers2. That a divemaster is to check the contents of tanks3. That a divemaster has the power to enforce safe diving practices.There is nothing a divemaster could have done to prevent or change the outcome of this accident.In fact the skipper, mates and charterer covered all the needed duties of a divemaster on thedate of this accident. They:• Collected money• Assured the forms and lists were complete121