Being land-based organisms, we cannot survive underwater. To explore the water world’s fantasy, divers take the help of Scuba Tanks. But what about if this unrefreshed, sealed air in the Scuba Tank goes bad and becomes unbreathable?
This question is crucial for marine divers that often dive to very deep depths. Technically, it is interesting that this air rarely goes bad unless moisture contacts oxygen inside the tanks.
Does air in your scuba tank go bad? No. The properly sealed filtered air inside the clean scuba tank does not go bad no matter how long it is preserved. The only issue arises when moisture accidentally gets into the compressor’s air intake.
A serious diver should know several other important things about scuba tanks, which are listed below.
Does Air in Scuba Tanks become unbreathable over time?
Without moisture, the air stays the same as it was before. When air is filled in the cylinders, it is pushed inside the tank through an air compressor at high pressures.
Because the air always stays at an equilibrium state, and when it is stored with enough pressure, there is no chance of air reacting to gases, thus making it safe to use.
However, if the contaminated air is filled inside the tank in the first place, there are higher chances of it going bad and unbreathable.
For some people, steel and aluminum tanks can potentially affect air for going bad. Well, the reality check is aluminum tanks have their own set of coating called aluminum oxide, which protects the tank and stops any further oxidation of the metal.
Contrary, having a steel tank, there is a potential for the oxygen level to drop a little bit over the long period but not very much.
Even if it is a steel tank, the air does not go bad.
When does scuba tank air go bad?
It is advised to complete a pre-dive safety checklist before going on your dive trip so that you won’t run into any issues with your tank.
Here are some tips to make sure you won’t have any issues during your dive:
- Always go for visual checking of your cylinders internally and externally at least once a year. This will ensure that your cylinders are safe from damage, scratches, or corrosion. Possible damage signs could be dents, bulges, coating defects, stress lines, or neck cracks.
- Get your tank a hydrostatic test once every five years, a testing process in which your technician will determine if your cylinders are structurally sound and burst-proof under pressure.
- Prevent your cylinders from getting exposed to sunlight or heat. This can increase the chances of explosions.
- Also, check for any leakage, wear and tear. Make sure that the O-ring is in good condition. If any hissing is identified, immediately ask your dive team to check for valve failure.
- Always trust a professional dive center for filling the air in the cylinders. A poorly maintained compressor can contaminate the tank, resulting in moisture appearance. This will make the air quality bad and unbreathable.
- Always get your tank a water wash before putting it away and keep the valve closed during the process.
