Scuba Diving International (SDI) Computer Nitrox Practice Exam

Which of the following equipment items does not need to be cleaned for oxygen service?

1. Regulators and tanks

2. Buoyancy compensators and low pressure inflators

3. Masks and fins

4. Wet suits and dive knives

The correct answer is: Buoyancy compensators and low pressure inflators

Buoyancy compensators and low-pressure inflators do not require cleaning for oxygen service because they are not in direct contact with the breathing gas. Oxygen service cleaning is primarily necessary for items that come into contact with high concentrations of oxygen because of the risk of fire or combustion associated with pure oxygen environments. Regulators and tanks, on the other hand, are critical components that interface directly with the breathing gas and thus require thorough cleaning to remove any potential contaminants that could ignite in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Masks, fins, wetsuits, and dive knives are also not directly related to the breathing gas system. Although they are essential for diving, they do not require the same stringent cleaning protocols as equipment that will handle high-purity oxygen. Therefore, the correct choice highlights the nature of buoyancy compensators and low-pressure inflators, which function within the diving system without posing a significant risk when it comes to the handling of oxygen service.