Disinfectant, Lubricants, and Contact Cleaner for Rebreathers

• RelyOn MDC is effective against a wide range of viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens including Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis A, B and C, MRSA, VRE, RSV and Norovirus (Norwalk-like virus).
• RelyOn MDC contains a surfactant and will clean and disinfect in one step.
• RelyOn MDC 1% solution is non-irritating to skin and eyes on incidental contact as well as less corrosive to environmental surfaces.
• RelyOn MDC, when used as directed, is compatible with rebreather materials and will not harm elastomer O-ring seals, counterlungs, corrugated hoses or any other components in the breathing loop.
• RelyOn MDC is available as a space-saving dry concentrate in the form of an effervescing tablet, avoiding the leakage problems of transporting liquids.
• RelyOn MDC is pleasant to use with a faint lemon odor.

Directions for Use

RelyOn MDC is available in tubes of effervescing 5-gram tablets along with a 16-ounce convenience spray bottle. To use, add one RelyOn MDC 5g tablet to 16 ounces of ordinary drinking water to prepare a 1% solution. Follow the recommendations from the rebreather manufacturer for disinfecting and cleaning your rebreather, allowing the solution to contact surfaces to be disinfected for 10 minutes and then rinsing with water.

to read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for RelyOn MDC.

2002 DRDC Toronto Report on Rebreather Disinfectants

The report refers to Virkon S, not RelyOn Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner. Virkon S is intended for veterinary and animal livestock use, but was the only product available in Canada at the time of the report. RelyOn MDC and Virkon S have similar chemical composition. However, RelyOn MDC is manufactured under more strenuous production controls with additional quality assurance testing, making it suitable for human use.

to read A literature review of disinfectants: Effects when used by CF divers in cleaning rebreather sets.

Cleaning Low Current Electrical Contacts

Always use cleaners specificly designed for the precious metal contacts used in low current applications found in high-tech electronics. The low current makes the contacts exceptionally sensitive to contamination yet their ultra thin precious metal plating is easy to damage during cleaning.

Never use the cleaners commonly associated with SCUBA maintenance. Many such cleaners contain solvents that are polar and also may leave residues, making them a potential problem in low current applications. This is also true of many household products such as rubbing alcohol.

Never use ordinary 'tuner cleaner' products for cleaning precious metal contacts, particularly with rebreathers. Their cleaning action is too harsh and most formulations sold by consumer electronics retailers contain petroleum distillates, which are flammable and not safe for use with some plastics.

Never use silicone based cleaner/lubricants with electrical contacts, even though this is an often suggested practice. Silicone products will react with plastics and other contaminates to form insulating films and silicone carbide compounds which can cause intermittent connections.

Never use a pencil eraser to clean precious metal contacts, even though this is another common practice. Erasers are highly abrasive and will remove the ultra thin precious metal plating. Further, the glue in erasers leaves behind a film that is extremely difficult to remove and can also cause intermittent connections.

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