From: russell@kings.demon.co.uk (Russell Brown)
Subject: Re: Filling Cylinders with Nitrox.
Organization: Lady Lodge Systems
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 11:21:03 GMT

In article <1992Nov5.152553.24504@mailer.cc.fsu.edu> mayne@cs.fsu.edu writes:
>In article <1992Nov5.054757.3583@panix.com> fhd@panix.com (Frank Deutschmann) writes:
>>
>>My appologies for the suicide line, and the overly dramatic and rather
>>heated post. 
>
>My impression was that the person asking was doing the sensible thing
>by gathering information. I saw nothing irresponsible about it.

Well, as 'the person' in question, I thank Bill Mayne for his
information and fully support his belief that the flow of information
should not be throttled back by some well meaning but mis-guided attempt
to protect people from themselves.

I must admit that I found my request for information being flamed a
curious (and alarming) thing.  Remember, this *is* Usenet - determining
a posters capabilities is notoriously difficult.  In my original post, I
attempted to included sufficient information for other readers to answer
my question - I did not include a complete list of my qualifications and
intentions, merely enough information to support the context in which the
question was being asked.

Given my rational for using Nitrox (I repeat; as a safety enhancer on
suitable dives) the, almost complete, lack of commercial supplies of
Nitrox here in the UK and the paucity and expense of Nitrox training
courses in the UK, I do not see that I have any alternative than to
investigate the methods available for homebrewing (note the word
investigate) if I am to *consider* using Nitrox in the future.

The investigation was undertaken with an open mind and the express
purpose of learning from others experiences.  The information that has
been furnished by readers of rec.scuba and other sources allows me to
make a more informed decision about Nitrox and it's application to my
diving.

Without such sources of information, I would never be in a position to
make an informed decision and that's the important thing - a flow
of information to facilitate an *informed* decision.

Following Frank Deutschmann's line of thought, I should have attended a
Nitrox training course before even considering Nitrox and certainly
before enquiring about the problems associated with the procurement of
Nitrox fills.  Despite the PADI infuence on SCUBA training, not all of
the diving community yet feels compelled to attend a course every five
minutes.

Having been trained by an organisation (BSAC) that promotes a
comprehensive education of divers at all levels, combined with a science
based general education and a technically orientated career, I do have a
reasonable understanding of gas toxicity, partial pressures and their
effects in the diving environment.

I do not feel a pressing need to attend a course on any diving subject
before making my own decision as to my own level of interest and whether
that level of interest warrants attending a specialised course. Sheesh!
we're getting to courses about going on courses now!

Without some means of determining the availability of Nitrox, why should
I spend some of my valuable free time on a course that, should Nitrox be
unavailable, will be of no practical use?  Given the fact that to obtain
Nitrox I will have to homebrew, I must obviously pick a course that
includes the techniques of homebrewing.  If I discover (from my
questions to rec.scuba and reference to other sources) that homebrewing
is prohibitivly dangerous or expensive, I then know that I need not
waste my resources on a Nitrox course.

SCUBA diving *is* a dangerous activity and I understand and share Frank
Deutschmann's purpose in wanting to lowering the risks involved and the
casualties suffered, indeed, I actively participate in diver training
and have spent considerable efforts promoting safety within our local
diving community.  However, his method of withholding information from
fellow divers and maintaining a mystique about Nitrox filling is *not* a
means to increase safety and is diametrically opposed to the policy that
most people reading rec.scuba would probably agree has the most
significant influence on increased safety - Education.

Going one stage further, I would argue that a number of the current
training systems do not go far enough!  IMHO, every diver should be
conversant with issues like decompression diving and air requirments
before entering the water under anything but the very strictest 
personal supervision.

So in future Mr Deutschmann, by all means qualify your remarks with 'I
suggest you undertake the necessary training before....' but please
don't withhold information or flame people for asking reasonable
questions.

My thanks and respect to those of you who answered my original question
in the manner in which it was intended.  T'was a pleasure to read your
answers gentlemen.

PS. Watch out Mr Deutschmann - my next question is probably going
be about sources of analysers as my search for knowledge continues :-)
-- 
Regards,
        Russell
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