What happens if the purity of nitrogen is not ideal? How do we test it?

[Rabitfever]

I was wondering how I could test the purity of a Nitrogen cylinder. I don't trust the ones that say 99% because I live in a country where everyone tries to scam one another. What happens if the purity is say, 90%? Do we just pass out slower or would it not work at all? Or something worse such as permanent brain damage?

Also, should the breathing setup be 100% air tight?

 

[LifeHasNoOptIn]

Everything except the elastic strip on the bag needs to be airtight. The bag uses an elastic strip to create a seal that is intentionally not 100% airtight. The method works by being able to displace the exhaled Carbon Dioxide with Nitrogen preventing the hypercapnic reaction that is triggered by excess CO2. It is the hypercapnic reaction that causes panic and not the lack of oxygen. Without the excess CO2 you simply pass out unaware that the air you are breathing is oxygen scarce.

As for testing the purity, I am not aware of a test for that. I understand your apprehension, but nitrogen isn't a rare commodity like helium and makes up about 80% of the air we are breathing right now. I think I recall reading a post before that any purity of 95% or better should be sufficient to achieve the desired outcome.

 

[befree]

I would suggest helium. The purity must be at least 99,8% (helium 2.8). You don´t test the purity, you just buy the right helium or nitrogen.
I recommend to use a diving equipment instead of the exit bag. More infos available by PM.

 

[outrider567]

I was wondering how I could test the purity of a Nitrogen cylinder. I don't trust the ones that say 99% because I live in a country where everyone tries to scam one another. What happens if the purity is say, 90%? Do we just pass out slower or would it not work at all? Or something worse such as permanent brain damage?

Also, should the breathing setup be 100% air tight?

There are ways to test the purity yourself but they cost about $200, look online---95% Nitrogen is the least amount mentioned by Greenberg but mine is 99%,which I'm comfortable with ,and I confirmed the percentage with the retailer just to be sure(sorry that your country can't be trusted in this regard)--I would PM Greenberg on the Inert/Exit Bag Mega Thread witrh your concerns-----The breathing set-up is not supposed to be air tight(do not use Rubber Bands) but snug, some Nitrogen must be allowed to escape as you are pumping 400 liters into you at 15 LPM

Everything except the elastic strip on the bag needs to be airtight. The bag uses an elastic strip to create a seal that is intentionally not 100% airtight. The method works by being able to displace the exhaled Carbon Dioxide with Nitrogen preventing the hypercapnic reaction that is triggered by excess CO2. It is the hypercapnic reaction that causes panic and not the lack of oxygen. Without the excess CO2 you simply pass out unaware that the air you are breathing is oxygen scarce.

As for testing the purity, I am not aware of a test for that. I understand your apprehension, but nitrogen isn't a rare commodity like helium and makes up about 80% of the air we are breathing right now. I think I recall reading a post before that any purity of 95% or better should be sufficient to achieve the desired outcome.

There are tests for Nitrogen percentage(I think)I saw a $200 item to do it

 

[PrincessInWhite]

There are ways to test the purity yourself but they cost about $200, look online---95% Nitrogen is the least amount mentioned by Greenberg but mine is 99%,which I'm comfortable with ,and I confirmed the percentage with the retailer just to be sure(sorry that your country can't be trusted in this regard)--I would PM Greenberg on the Inert/Exit Bag Mega Thread witrh your concerns-----The breathing set-up is not supposed to be air tight(do not use Rubber Bands) but snug, some Nitrogen must be allowed to escape as you are pumping 400 liters into you at 15 LPM

There are tests for Nitrogen percentage(I think)I saw a $200 item to do it

ok good to know, so any of the 99% nitrogens should be fine? I've seen conflicting info on here and it makes me nervous.

 

[outrider567]

ok good to know, so any of the 99% nitrogens should be fine? I've seen conflicting info on here and it makes me nervous.

Yes

 

[lostmyacc]

Lot of Nitrogen sellers will sell a mix between Nitrogen and Oxygen. Enough for it to work in things like brewing beer at home.

However it will not be ideal in suicide, i would go as far to say that most Nitrogen that isn't 100% pure is going to cause issues, those who's quality is in doubt may risk failure. I wouldn't go any lower than 95% in my opinion, but I have no evidence to back this up.

 

[outrider567]

Lot of Nitrogen sellers will sell a mix between Nitrogen and Oxygen. Enough for it to work in things like brewing beer at home.

However it will not be ideal in suicide, i would go as far to say that most Nitrogen that isn't 100% pure is going to cause issues, those who's quality is in doubt may risk failure. I wouldn't go any lower than 95% in my opinion, but I have no evidence to back this up.

You make no sense at all--First you say anything less than 100% pure is going to cause issues,then you say 'well I wouldn't go below 95%' do you read what you write? Greenberg is the expert and says 99% is just fine--and all anyone has to do anyway is just contact the retailer by phone or email and ask them what the purity is, right? And like I stated, you can test the purity yourself if one is really worried--So quit scaring people about oxygen/nitrogen mixtures

 

[lostmyacc]

You make no sense at all--First you say anything less than 100% pure is going to cause issues,then you say 'well I wouldn't go below 95%' do you read what you write? Greenberg is the expert and says 99% is just fine--and all anyone has to do anyway is just contact the retailer by phone or email and ask them what the purity is, right? And like I stated, you can test the purity yourself if one is really worried--So quit scaring people about oxygen/nitrogen mixtures

In an ideal world 100%
95-99 % going to cause issues IE DELAY in passing out
<95% risk of failure

Not that difficult to understand really?

That's based upon my understanding.

Lot of Nitrogen tanks are 75 N - 25. % other gas (oxygen commonly)

I was trying to be helpful don't need to type bile nonsense. Never heard of this Greenberg.

 

[~Q~]

most industrial grade nitrogen purchased from a welding shop is plenty pure enough as the purpose is to displace oxygen. if you tell them you have a minibar and need nitrogen they will sell it to you no problem. its used to help certain beers with the flavor and fizz. just about any nitrogen is fine. helium is getting harder to source as pure and people have caught on to what its being used for so they purposfully dilute it with O2.

 

[PrincessInWhite]

Lot of Nitrogen sellers will sell a mix between Nitrogen and Oxygen. Enough for it to work in things like brewing beer at home.

However it will not be ideal in suicide, i would go as far to say that most Nitrogen that isn't 100% pure is going to cause issues, those who's quality is in doubt may risk failure. I wouldn't go any lower than 95% in my opinion, but I have no evidence to back this up.

In an ideal world 100%
95-99 % going to cause issues IE DELAY in passing out
<95% risk of failure

Not that difficult to understand really?

That's based upon my understanding.

Lot of Nitrogen tanks are 75 N - 25. % other gas (oxygen commonly)

I was trying to be helpful don't need to type bile nonsense. Never heard of this Greenberg.

it's literally impossible to source 100% nitrogen unless you're a high tech expensive lab. I did know that much, 99.9999 is the absolute best anyone here will get. I don't think what you're saying makes much sense either except the part about it being mixed with oxygen which is true, that part will ruin the method.