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Post by SDM on May 8, 2004 8:22:32 GMT -8
PSEUDOMONAS AEROGENOSA During the terminal phase of the 2 hose production and its popular useage during the late 1960s and early 1970s there was considerable concern over the increase in prevalency of Pseudomonas Areogenosa among the divers using double hose regulators. p.Aerogenosa was especially prevalent in the most warm climates. It was especially noted amoung divers who shared regulators as in a classroom enviroment and in freshwater divers who stored their regulators between dives in cool dark areas which woud give rise to the production of pathogens. There p. Areogenosa found a welcomed host in the regulator mouth piece, the hose ridges and in the actual body of the regulator. This opportunistic human pathogen can be some what devestating to the diver. Accordingly, what cleaning and storage measures are being utilized on their double hose regulators by members of this web to combat this possible infestation of p. Aerogenosa in their regulators? <FYI p. Aerogenosa is not a concern with the modern single hose regulators <<and what the heck was the reason for all that garbage the young neophite diver installed on his regulator in the post "My regulator is finished!" by Danny D???>>> (which prompted me to file this post) SDM 30 |
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Post by Linda on May 8, 2004 10:31:56 GMT -8
Interesting.
Can you supply a recent article relating the two -- scuba diving and P. Aeruginosa? I would be interested. It is my understanding that this bacteria is typically only problematic to those with underlying conditions, particulary those with cystic fibrosis, cancer patients, and burn victims (not your typical scuba divers).
A better question might be what should a diver do to disinfect his/her equipment after use...? Although there would be nothing conventional that could *kill* p. aeruginosa. It can metabolize biodegradeable synthetics.
Offering up a solution in conjunction with raising a red flag might be a step in the right direction.
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Post by BLT on May 8, 2004 11:32:17 GMT -8
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Post by SeaRat on May 8, 2004 19:37:28 GMT -8
Bit,
I have no problem with your posting my information from the other board...just keeps me from trying to re-write it.
Thanks,
John
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Post by Danny D on May 9, 2004 20:42:31 GMT -8
"what the heck was the reason for all that garbage the young neophite diver installed on his regulator in the post "My regulator is finished!" by Danny D>>> (which prompted me to file this post) "
Ok lets handle this statement in segments....
"all that garbage" well if you looked at the picture old man you would hve realized that the only excess "garbage" on the regulator was the hose covers and a mouthpeice that must be to complcated for you to understand.
Neophite diver huh, well iv been diving for 10 years so i guess that doesn't make me a neophite diver...What do you think im 15 or something? Finally everybody knows that bacteria will grow in your hoses if they are not properly cleaned and dried regularely. Hey but thanks for telling use something we didn't know. As far as procediers to stop the bacteria I wash and dry my hoses...how about you ?
I said im young in the post (20's) , but that doesn;t mean im 14 years old buddy. So whats with the attack on me? Do you think that I know nothing that I juststumbled upon this page ad don;t know what I am talking about or anything about diving vintage reguators ? I am actualy in the top first 5 peopleto join this group so I don't see why you are trying to belittle me . Im positive that Iv done nothing to you . Is alright to question my ideas , but let lave the BS coments out of these forums ok pal.
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Post by SeaRat on May 9, 2004 23:47:47 GMT -8
Actually, I like some of Danny D.'s ideas. There have been many times that I have not swam on my back because of regulator free flow on the two hose regs. Danny's idea of putting a rebreather mouthpiece on it, so it could be turned off, is a very good, practical idea. It would give us more flexibility with our swimming styles when on the surface.
By the way, microbes are a problem in other diving equipment too. Single hose regulators that are not washed and left in a damp location for a long period accumulate the slime too. It just has less surface area to adhere to. Masks can also be a problem for microbial buildup. I'm just trying to re-assemble my pool mask, which was (is if I get it back together) a silicone mask with plastic "goggle" inserts in a plastic frame. The silicone mask edge accumulated a bunch of the black slimy stuff, as did the nose pocket when I left it in my swim bag for some time. I went to wear it, and said "I'm not putting this thing onto my face." So take a good look at the corners and crevices of your mask, and wash out your snorkel periodically too.
John
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Post by Captain on May 10, 2004 15:09:00 GMT -8
Take it easy Danny. A lot of us on this board are purist, we like to dive the equiptment as it was back when we started. I personally have no problem with anyone configuring their gear any way they want but after all this is a board about vintage equipment. It's sort like the antique car guy and the street rodder. Both may have 32 Fords, but the antique car guy likes his just the way it came from the factory and the street rod guy likes to soup up and customize his. The two travel in different circles. Sam Miller has been more than willing to share his vast knowledge of the early days of scuba with all of us. I started diving in 1957 and I am still learning things from Sam. Let all of us try to make this board run smoothly and not get into petty confrontations over different points of view.
Tom
Tom
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Post by Linda on May 10, 2004 16:47:57 GMT -8
But what does Danny's reg *particularly* have to do with bacteria? I mean, as opposed to anyone else's reg?
According to Sam, Danny's reg prompted his post about bacteria... am I the only one that doesn't get the connection?
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Post by caveman on May 10, 2004 16:52:06 GMT -8
I don't get it either. caveman
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Post by Danny D on May 10, 2004 19:21:15 GMT -8
Me three. I don't get how this has anything to do with me either. I really can;t see in anyway how my post could spark anything that has to do with this post. Maybe im just thinking too hard about it and can't see the conncetion. By the way I am a purist too. Just fooled around with my newer Royal Aquamaster to see what I could come up with. Didn;t mean to affend anyone , just took the new to the sport young diver thing as an insult thats all.
Also I better check my hoses because Sdm must know something about my hoses that I Don't......No hard feelings though bud Friends ;D
If Anyone wants one of those mouth pices to try out I could make some more.
P.S. My new quote onthe scuba board is gonna be "Try diving with PSEUDOMONAS AEROGENOSA some time it's a blast " hahaha
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Post by randallgray on May 11, 2004 9:41:37 GMT -8
For discussion: My educational background is in biology, particularly microbiology, and I hold a Master’s Degree with an emphasis in immunology. Now, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since earning these credits, but some things don’t change all that much. Most bacteria, as distinguished from viruses (flu, etc.), prions (Mad Cow disease, Scabies Disease in sheep), rickettsia, (Lymes Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), or pathogenic protozoans (Amoebic Dysentery), are opportunists and will flourish when the ideal growth conditions are created for the particular strain of organism. Succinctly, given the right food source, the right temperature and no intervening factors such as competition (other bacteria) or the introduction of anti-bacterial toxins, ( soap and water, salt, etc.), then the particular bacteria will reproduce explosively. If p. aerogenosa has landed in ideal growth conditions (mouthpiece, hoses) and has built up large colonies, then it is possible that the route of introduction of the bacteria by inhalation could allow a more than normal amount of bacteria to be deposited deep in the lung alveoli. If the persons immune system is compromised then disease related to the organism could result or the constant exposure to the pathogen might overwhelm the normally competent immune system where normally the organism would not be established.
It would seem that the mouthpiece and inner mouthpiece valve surfaces would be the main concern since air flow on inhalation is toward the inside of the mouthpiece and away from the inside of the mouthpiece on exhaling (given that there is zero leakage in either direction). Air flow from the inside of the mouthpiece back into the inhalation hose is blocked and if p. aerogenosa colonies develop in the exhalation hose they should not be re-introduced into the mouthpiece on inhalation. So, a good washing or soaking in anti-bacterial soap and warm water should take care of the perceived problem. Further, one can be vaccinated against p. aerogenosa (pneumonia shot).
In closing, don’t be overly concerned with bacterial contamination, just keep the gear clean, and dry after use and, in my opinion, there should be no problems, but the potential does exist and there may be concerns about the maintenance of rental equipment.
SDM has had the opportunity, over time, to see infections in divers by this organism and it is a valid concern. I appreciate the heads up.
Randy
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