What modification must be made to a regulator for use with Nitrox mixtures under 40% FO2?

For Nitrox mixtures with an oxygen fraction of 40% or below, it is essential to ensure that the equipment used is compatible with higher oxygen percentages. Standard regulators may contain materials that can deteriorate or become unsafe when exposed to elevated levels of oxygen. Therefore, installing Nitrox-compatible components is necessary to maintain safety and performance.

Nitrox-compatible components are specifically designed to resist the effects of oxygen exposure, ensuring that the regulator functions correctly and is safe to use with Nitrox mixtures. These components typically include specialized o-rings and lubricants that are not adversely affected by higher oxygen concentrations.

In contrast, simply replacing the entire regulator is unnecessary in many cases, especially if modifications can enable the existing regulator to work safely with Nitrox. Using regular o-rings or claiming there are no required modifications could lead to potential risks associated with using standard materials that may fail under higher oxygen conditions. Overall, ensuring the regulator is equipped with Nitrox-compatible parts is crucial for safe diving with enriched air Nitrox.