Using argon with exit mask (oven bag). Any different than using Helium since Argon is HEAVIER than air? Please help.

[kreikrei]

Hi!
My setup is 8l 200bar 99+% argon, flow meter/reductor and self made plastic mask from oven bag
Was not possible to acquire helium/nitrogen
Planned air movement = 25 litres per minute



Problem:
I searched the forum and some say that due to Argon being heavier than air, the exit mask should be built differently - with very TIGHT around the neck and a hole somewhere top of the bag

Is this true? This gives me anxiety. I spent all my money on reductor/flow meter and argin gas... I would buy EEBD mask otherwise
I dont know what to do. Maybe its better to wait a little and sae money to buy the EEBD mask....

Thanks for advice!

 

[kreikrei]

bump..

 

[J&L383]

You may have a point. Argon is 38% heavier than air whereas nitrogen is just about the same (which is why nitrogen in air (20% oxygen, 80% nitrogen) is never separated in the air we breathe). So for the standard exit bag it doesn't matter where the leakage occurs, for the most part (you always want to minimize that as much as possible). So for argon, having the vent (to keep the bag from over inflating or exploding) at the top would mean that everything at your nose and mouth should be 100% orgon. I would test it ahead of time somehow.

 

[kreikrei]

You may have a point. Argon is 38% heavier than air whereas nitrogen is just about the same (which is why nitrogen in air (20% oxygen, 80% nitrogen) is never separated in the air we breathe). So for the standard exit bag it doesn't matter where the leakage occurs, for the most part (you always want to minimize that as much as possible). So for argon, having the vent (to keep the bag from over inflating or exploding) at the top would mean that everything at your nose and mouth should be 100% orgon. I would test it ahead of time somehow.

The uncertainty causes anxiety
And its not like the engineering of exit masks is full of info online ;)
I probably just save up extra 200-300euros and buy an EEBD mask - I assume that pretty much guarantees a painless and successful exit.