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Introduction to Oxygen Equipment

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Normally oxygen passes readily from the lungs into the bloodstream and is pumped by the heart to all parts of the body. When lung disease occurs, oxygen may not be able to pass as readily into the bloodstream. When the heart is diseased, it may not be able to pump as much oxygen-carrying blood. Either of these situations can result in not enough oxygen reaching the organs and tissues of the body, preventing them from functioning properly. This can cause many undesirable effects, such as decreased ability to exercise, difficulty breathing, fatigue, confusion, loss of memory, etc. Breathing supplemental oxygen increases the amount of oxygen that passes into the bloodstream and is carried to the organs and tissues.

Oxygen and oxygen equipment is essential for life saving, but oxygen can also, in its purest form, be a dangerous substance. Treated responsibly however the dangers of oxygen and the handling of oxygen equipment can be substantially mitigated.

Oxygen is an unstable molecule and pure O2 can make a fire hot enough to burn metal. It is stored at explosive pressures and it is this high degree of pressure that creates some of the greatest hazards to those who use or are around the equipment.

Oxygen and oxygen equipment usually require a prescription from a doctor or medical physician and is strictly regulated by the FDA. The safe use of oxygen equipment needs to stressed to anyone using the equipment to ensure its appropriate handling.

While oxygen does not burn, it does support combustion. A fire that is exposed to pure oxygen will burn with higher volatility and explosiveness. Many materials that do not burn in air burn in pure oxygen. These may be materials such as metal.

Oxygen is categorically stored at high pressures. This pressure is generally in the range of 2,200 psig. If this pressure is suddenly released, either through faulty or defective equipment the cylinder will be propelled with the force of a cannonball. This creates obvious hazards to any individual using the equipment. In addition if a cylinder valve is opened to abruptly, this creates a situation of rapid compression. This will heat the cylinder and regulator to dangerously high temperatures.