Emergency Oxygen Administration 101

Facts and how-to of Emergency Oxygen Administration

Note that you should provide emergency oxygen to a victim having difficulty breathing if it is available and if you are trained to administer oxygen. Emergency oxygen should be considered in these situations.

An oxygen cylinder.

A regulator with pressure gauge with a functioning flow meter.

A delivery device such as a resuscitation mask, a non-rebreather mask, or nasal cannula (for the nose).

Training. Although application of any first response aid may seem simple, there are safety issues that need careful consideration.

• DO make sure that oxygen is flowing before placing the delivery device over the victim’s mouth and nose.

• DO NOT use oxygen around flames or sparks. Oxygen causes fire to burn more rapidly. Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke around oxygen in transport, in use or on standby.

• DO NOT use grease, oil or other petroleum products to lubricate or clean the pressure regulator or any fitting hoses, etc. This could cause an explosion.

• DO NOT stand oxygen cylinders upright unless they are secured in a rack or cart approved for such use. Note that if an oxygen cylinder falls, the regulator or valve could be damaged. Oxygen cylinders are under high pressure and any breakage can cause serious injury.

• DO NOT hold onto protective valve caps, valves or valve guards when moving or lifting cylinders.

• DO NOT hold onto protective valve caps, valves or valve guards when moving or lifting cylinders.

• DO NOT alter or remove any labeling or markings on the oxygen cylinder or attached equipment.

• DO NOT attempt to mix gases in an oxygen cylinder or transfer oxygen from one cylinder to another.

• DO NOT store oxygen cylinders near flammables or hot water heaters, near electric or phone boxes, where they can have something heavy fall on them, where they could be tipped over or exposed to heat or direct sunlight.

• DO NOT store oxygen cylinders where temperatures may rise above 125°F (51.6°C).

Never use an oxygen cylinder without a functioning regulator that fits properly with the cylinder valve. When the tank is not in use keep valves closed even if the tank is empty. Note, you must never store oxygen tanks anywhere that can rise above 125°F (51.6°C).

If defibrillating, make sure that no one is touching or is in contact with the victim or the resuscitation equipment. And remember, due to the flammable nature of oxygen, you should never defibrillate someone when around flammable materials, such as gasoline or free-flowing oxygen.

Never drag or roll cylinders. Carry a cylinder with both hands (never by the valve or regulator) or with a dolly or rolling rack approved for use with oxygen cylinders.

When transporting oxygen cylinders, do not store them in the trunk of your car where they can roll around and damage the valve and/or the regulator. Since oxygen cylinder are high pressure devices, any sudden stop, acceleration or sharp turn could turn them into a projectile hazard that could cause serious injury. Rather than risk heat exposure which could cause a potentially hazardous release of gas, remove cylinders from vehicle if temperatures outdoors is expected to rise above 80°F (26.6°C).

Regularly check cylinders for leaks, bulging, and defective valves. Also check for rust or corrosion on the cylinder or cylinder neck or regulator assembly. No adhesive tape should be put around the cylinder neck, oxygen vale or regulator assembly as it can hamper oxygen delivery.

• When to use emergency oxygen and how it may help
• Set up and delivery with various delivery devices
• How to use oxygen during bag mask ventilation

• The risks associated with use and storage
• Safe storage and handling
• How to use oxygen with advanced equipment