Just today i realize the dangers in using compressed air

[shartley]

http://www.o24u.com/Embolisms.htm

Should the average person worry out embolisms? HECK NO! We have far too many REAL dangers to worry about.... but be careful the next time you blow into your girlfriend's ear. (or other parts... ref: Venous Air Embolism )

For me, this is all a non-issue. You have a higher chance of dieing from the air tank blowing up than from getting an air embolism. You should be safe while filling ANY tank, be it HPA or CO2.

The rest is just good FEAR material used to create conversations... ohhhhh scairrrrrreeeeeeeee

(Note: That is also why they call them FREAK accidents. )

[cphilip]

Well its not an accident if you know it may happen and you can prevent it. So regular Hydro and carefull proceedure at the fill station need to be taught practiced and enforced.

You should always try to dislodge the QC several times by pulling on it and there may be something that should be done to these flex hoses to restrain them from flailing around. Its preventable. Sounds like someone needs to look into before OSHA has too. Many of these are just long hoses with a deadly hunk of metal on the end. That can easily be strapped to the tank or marker by something. Even a large towel tied near the end will dramaticaly slow the flight of this hose if it comes detatched. So from your reports it apears that there is a known hazard that is not being adressed and should be.

I may look into trying some stuff since I am a Safety guy anyway. I am going to try some stuff and report back. this indeed happend at a field near here while I was there and all that one did was damage the QC end. But it coulda hit someone. In this case the male on the tank was worn down. But there was nothing to stop the thing from hitting anyone when it broke lose.


But if its preventable it should be. Or your liable for a wrongfull death or injury. And this one is known and preventable.

[gatorchris]

The air guy we use out of Nashville has a great set up. His hoses all have a large finger grip washer behind the fill nipple. Its enough to put a finger on each side of the hose while filling. Agree with Cphil though, always make sure you feel it snap when engaging and give it a tug before giving the air guy a nod.

[j.t.]

Most safety procedures WERE taken. These include holding the air line (both by the filler and owner of the tank), the tank was checked properly, and WAS connected properly and double checked by pulling on the line.

[flatacid]

everyone here is talking about 4500 fills off a hose right?

im not experienced with those type of fills. we haven't gotten 4500 capability at our field yet (in about 1 month probably), so im used to filling off scubas. but this thread is gonna make me look into extra safety.

[manike]

I'm talking about any form of high pressure air from the fill stations through to the tanks on your guns.

The embolism issue I heard about was from an on gun tank. I've heard stories about dangers of high pressure air lines at less than a 1000psi from people involved in other industries (I have friend who work for Norgren Martonair) and thankfully there are very few issues within the paintball world.

People need to have some respect for the equipment they are using and the safety issues.

I agree with Shartley that it's not a major concern, and that the odds are high, but heck, lets not help the odds huh?

manike

[Vegeta]

reminds me of hte people at the local field around here.. only the people that run the field in my town know absolutely nothing about paintball... I have actually been playing longer than the owner. The guy fills tanks by guessing... no scales at all. It really scares me. And once their ASA to the bottle was stripped out so the guy put hte bottle between one guy's feeet and put his weight on top of hte asa to keep it from popping off white he was filling.... total idiot. He talks all hick-ish too..

I thought about calling the DOT and reporting them for unsafe practices....

[sniper1rfa]

now thats just stupid. you should call...

[paint magnet]

Where I get my tank filled, the air line is screwed down into a table. (it has a little clamp thingy over it any way)

I heard about something similar: A guy was standing in line at a tourney waiting to get his tank filled, when the idiot in front of him doesn't put the q/d on the fill nipple all the way and starts to fill his tank. The hose flies off and puts a huge dent in the side of his perfect Angel LCD. And it didn't even have a scratch on it before then.

[KamikazePenguin]

Originally posted by Vegeta
And once their ASA to the bottle was stripped out so the guy put hte bottle between one guy's feeet and put his weight on top of hte asa to keep it from popping off white he was filling.... total idiot. He talks all hick-ish too..

ahem, may I be the first to express their skepticism