Remember the infamous scene from the movie Jaws? When the scuba tank exploded in the shark’s mouth, rendering it lifeless? Have you ever wished to put on your marine gear and dive right into the ocean but couldn’t because the scene filled you with a fear of something similar happening to you?
Scuba tanks can potentially explode, but the explosions are not loud and climactic ones that incinerate everything. Instead, the explosion is typically a projectile explosion caused by the instant release of pressurized air.
While the blast of Scuba tanks is possible, it is not that probable, so you don’t need to fret that much. However, that does not mean that it cannot take place. A scuba tank explosion is triggered by various factors, some of which are discussed below.
Why Do Scuba Tanks Explode
The probability of a scuba tank exploding depends on the material used. Steel scuba tanks corrode easily but are less likely to explode than aluminum ones. That is because aluminum tanks don’t have the same structural purity as steel tanks.
However, a risk of explosion is always present, regardless of the material. This risk is increased in the case of overpressure or excessive heat. Let’s look into how different factors contribute to the risk.
There May Be A Chance Of Overpressure
This risk is primarily present when filling up a scuba tank. Most scuba tanks can hold pressurized air up to 3000psi; a violent explosion can occur if you attempt to fill your scuba tank more than that. But, this is unlikely since a safety valve in the form of a burst disc is typically present in scuba tanks. This disc ruptures before the tanks do.
There Can Be Exposure To Heat
Overheating a scuba tank can have the same impact as overpressuring since heat causes the air molecules to expand. If too much heat is applied, an explosion is risky.
There Is A Risk Of Corrosion
In case of neglectful treatment of scuba tanks, corrosion is likely. Corrosion is a problem for steel tanks and not aluminum ones. A steel tank can potentially rust, and its material can weaken. The weakening of the material can result in an explosion when filling the tank.
Valve Failure Can Occur
A valve is the most sensitive part of the tank and is responsible for safe and controlled air release. A damaged valve means that the air is released in an unsafe and uncontrolled manner. Valve failure can lead to an explosion in both steel and aluminum tanks. Going for a dive with a damaged valve risks the potential for critical damage.
The Effect Of Penetrating Forces
This one is improbable and mainly occurs in movies. But if your scuba tank is shot or a hole is penetrated in it somehow, an explosion can occur because of the uncontrolled release of air.
Conclusion
To sum up, what we have discussed, Scuba tanks do have a possibility of exploding. The probability is low, but under specific circumstances, it can happen. These circumstances may include factors like valve failure or excessive exposure to heat and corrosion. Overpressure in the tank can also cause it to explode. If the necessary precautions are taken to avoid such a situation, then you are safe to go.
