Cylinders and tank valves to be used with enriched air must be cleaned and ____ lubricants used.

For enriched air (nitrox) diving, it is crucial that all components, including cylinders and tank valves, are compatible with oxygen to prevent any risk of fire or explosion. Oxygen-compatible lubricants are specifically formulated to be safe for use in environments where high concentrations of oxygen are present.

These lubricants do not promote combustion in the presence of oxygen and can safely withstand the pressures and conditions encountered in diving equipment. This is essential because many standard lubricants can become hazardous when exposed to high levels of oxygen, potentially leading to dangerous situations underwater.

Water-based, thin, and silicon-based lubricants do not necessarily provide the same level of safety and compatibility with high-oxygen environments. Therefore, using oxygen-compatible lubricants is the best practice to ensure the safety and integrity of the equipment when planning dives with enriched air.