What are the two primary concerns when filling enriched air cylinders?

When filling enriched air cylinders, the two primary concerns are fire/explosion hazards and accurate filling.

Enriched air, or nitrox, typically contains a higher percentage of oxygen than regular air, which increases the risk of fire or explosion if proper precautions are not taken. Oxygen-enriched environments can cause materials that are otherwise safe to combust spontaneously or at a lower temperature, making handling and storage critical. Therefore, safety measures must be strictly followed to mitigate this risk during the filling process.

Accurate filling is equally important because enriched air cylinders must be filled to specific gas mixtures to ensure diver safety and maximize intended benefits, such as minimizing nitrogen absorption during dives. If the mixture is incorrect, it could lead to health risks like oxygen toxicity or inadequate decompression protocols, which can affect the diver's safety during and after diving. Proper training and adherence to filling procedures help prevent these potentially dangerous outcomes.