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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] test of CO2 safety hardware - any volunteers?

Erik,
 
There are professionally-made devices that measure Carbon Dioxide.  I'm wondering how accurate and useful a device like the one you describe would be.  Also, it seems to me you'd know when there is too much CO2 in the air because it will become difficult to breathe.  I think the body's natural sensitivity would be more accurate than the device you're describing; and it would be one less mechanism to monitor.  Furthermore, with reliable professionally-made devices being available, why would you want to entrust something as important as life support to a $0.50 expedient? 
 
From what I've learned, CO2 levels are taken care of by the scrubber, and it's pretty easy to verify whether or not that's working.  So this home made CO2 sensing device doesn't sound necessary.
 
What does seem necessary is a way to monitor Oxygen in the air because if that runs low you won't know it, you will just pass out.  There are also sensitive professionally-made devices that measure O2.  And from what I've read, people who operate submarines can also do that via a barometer which shows the pressure-drop caused by O2 that's been absorbed in the body.  Speaking for myself, I think I'd prefer the professional instrument. 
 
Best,
 
Gail
 
 

Erik Muller <emuller@naic.edu> wrote:
Perhaps, but perhaps it is worth testing to see. Besides, the system can
be reset by putting a little bit of alkali into the solution. There is
nothing like testing a new idea, even if you are not convinced that it
is any good and you may be surprised. In fact, the cost for this system
will always be completely paltry, i.e. <$0.50 per use. Yes, 50c, and to
be honest, probably a lot less than that.
EM.

NeophyteSG@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 2/13/04 8:17:13 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> opensourcesub@yahoo.com writes:
>
> Hmmm. True. What about using a ring of smaller samples
> that are opened/closed either at specific time
> intervals or when they change color? That way you
> could take multiple samples to increase the useability
> of the system.
>
> Thought about the gatling-like arrangement for this as well as for a
> CO2 scrubber system, but I still get the feeling that when all is said
> and done it still won't be better in terms of cost, sensitivity,
> accuracy and usability than an inexpensive CO2 sensor/voltmeter
> arrangement.
>
> *****
>
> "Call nothing thy own except thy soul.
> Love not what thou art, but only what thou may become.
> Do not pursue pleasure, for thou may have the misfortune to overtake it...
> Live in the vision of that one for whom great deeds are done ..."
>
> Man of LaMancha, D. Wasserman

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