Are you tired of using multiple equipments for diving, and want one option? So, wanted to make an investment and was confused about the regular air compressor and where you can use it? Well, it is common and the majority of people get in trouble figuring out the uses of air compressors.
Being a versatile device, it is used for pneumatic tools to many other such devices, on a small and large scale in the market. Regular air compressors and the one that is specialized are two different things, and sometimes they work and some it doesn’t.
Now, the question is can you use a regular air compressor for diving specifically or not. So, in the same manner, today we are writing this article to help you figure out its use for diving or what is another option you should go for.
Can you use a regular air compressor for diving?
If you are here, you better have some knowledge about the regular air compressor and the mechanism it works on. So, considering that let me go into a little detail before answering it. There are some major types of air compressors that are specifically designed to work for specific purposes, you can easily find them on the internet though.
If we take a regular air compressor for diving, it is a NO. You can’t use a regular air compressor, yes, the one that can do all the basic work required in households or even in factories but you can’t use it for diving.
Reasons why you can’t use a regular air compressor:
There are some solid reasons why a regular air compressor is capable of diving. You must go for a diving air compressor, if you are planning to buy an air compressor for diving. Let me tell you the basic reasoning behind it.
At first, a diving air compressor is the one, divers use diving air compressors to fill diving cylinders with high-pressure air that is clean to breathe, or they can use the compressors to supply surface-supplied breathing air to the dive team.
Now a regular air compressor can’t assure of the clean air despite having all the precautionary measure and the inlets and the valves.
Regular air compressors will not work for scuba diving since they are fundamentally different from those that are specifically to use underwater.
High-pressure compressor systems for filling a diver’s air tank are known as scuba compressors or you can say diving air compressors.
Moreover, if we talk on a larger scale, firefighters and hospital oxygen tanks also rely on this type of compressor, because of the availability of clean air and removal of toxins.
For another approach, high-pressure air compressors are used to fill scuba tanks, which divers need to breathe under water. You can easily find or spot such air compressors even in both fire trucks and hospitals, where they supply oxygen tanks with air.
It is evident that pressure and quality of compressed air are the main differences between this compressor and regular compressors that we often use for other purposes.
Moreover, scuba tank air must contain oxygen since our bodies use it for metabolic processes. Oxygen, in particular for the lungs, and the eyes, can be hazardous to the body when under high pressure.
Divers must comprehend and practice safe methods regardless of the type of air they choose to utilize. Always do your homework before experimenting with new techniques; it could save your life.
On what mechanism of working does a diving compressor differ from regular compressor?
For a diving compressor, it works on a very basic phenomenon with a large piston that compresses the air to between 100 and 140 psi in the first stage, which is squeezed into an air purifier.
As a direct consequence of compression, the air that exits the first stage is extremely warm. Prior to going into the second stage, this cool down.
Compared to scuba compressors, regular air compressors can only provide a percentage of the volume of air. Second, the air that passes through the scuba compressors and fills the tank is purified using filters. They are meant to remove the contaminants like oils, dirt, dusts etc. by passing it through multiple separators and strainers.
Factors to consider when making a choice of compressor for diving:
There are multiple factors that play a huge role in making the best possible choice, but to make this article short and save your time, I am going to enlist the major factors that you look up to at the time of making a purchase by yourself, without any assistance.
Quality of the air:
Due to the serious health consequences that can result from breathing air that has been contaminated, diving air compressors are designed differently than other compressors. As long as the scuba compressor’s air is properly filtered, it is safe to inhale.
Diving compressors include a number of filters and moisture separators to remove moisture and other contaminants from the air supply.
Barometric Pressure:
For the second factor, the surface-supplied diving use low-pressure compressors, which are small and light. Most likely, there are flotation rings that are attached to the surface of the water and a hose is used to supply divers with fresh air.
High-pressure compressors, on the other hand, can compress air between 3,200 and 4500 plus psi. Filling scuba tanks with compressed air is a standard practice among dive shops and even commercial divers.
Conclusion
Regular air compressor and diving compressor are the two different types that work on different mechanisms, with the help of high-pressure diving compressor is recommended to use for diving rather than a regular air compressor.
Other than this major difference, there are certain other factors that plays its role to make a clear verdict and defined its use in a clear manner.
