DIY O2 kit

[The Iceni]

mddolson once bubbled...
It's not rocket science.

4) I bought everthing I needed on eBay,
used Aluminum tank with valve, hydro'd and filled after it arrived. New regulator, new air-ways, Masks etc. all at about 1/3 price of DAN kit

Sounds good,

Can I ask what regulator and masks you bought and most importantly how much did it actually cost/did you save?

 

[mddolson]

I'm in Canada so my cost is about $1.60 Canadian to for a US $ . I 'll use US $ and include shipping in the prices

Luxfer Aluminum D tank (in Hydro to June 2005) $ 25 + $18 shipping = $43

Harris O2 regulator 2-15 LPM flow rate. $15+$5 shipping = $20

Sealed package 8 sterile air ways $12 including shipping.

Laerdal pocket mask (with O2 inlet) $12 including shipping

Non-rebreather (bag) mask $15 including shipping.

Flynn resuscitator Bag (incl sm, med lg masks) $36 + 20 Shipping =$56

Tool box $12

Foam liners free (out of scrap packing materials)


You'll notice I opted for a manual resuscitator bag, instead of the power ventilator recommended and sold by DAN.

Local emergency agencies and parmedics steered me away from the power ventilator due to problems with gastric distention..

My Total cost $180 US

MikeD

 

[The Iceni]

mddolson once bubbled...
. . .You'll notice I opted for a manual resuscitator bag, instead of the power ventilator recommended and sold by DAN.

Local emergency agencies and parmedics steered me away from the power ventilator due to problems with gastric distention..

My Total cost $180 US

MikeD

Ha!

Mike, the advice you received was quite correct at least in one respect, and that is any form of ventilation (breathing for a casualty who is not) risks distention of the stomach as the high-pressure gas can easily find its way down the oesophagus into the stomach and not reach the lungs. (This applies to all CPR, of course.)

This is why it is recommended that ventilators should only to be used by adequately trained personnel. I very much doubt that a power ventilator can be purched by any unqualified personnel. Thus, in the UK diver oxygen sets come with a DV that does not have a ventilation facility, but they do have a DV. Your system does not, and it is not easy for the untrained, injured diver to use a bag-and-mask with which to breath 100% oxygen.

Common sense will also tell you that a bag ventilator can also generate sufficient pressure to inflate the stomach. In fact, if there is no pressure relief valve on the connectors it is quite easy for the pressure generated by the bag greatly to exceed that needed to cause a pneumothorax. Imagine just how powerful your grip is! Bag-and-mask ventilation should not be performed by the untrained for this reason. You can do more harm than good.

I am not familiar with the Flynn system but it is essential for any bag and mask system to have a pressure release valve make sure to get one if yours does not and i am sure you will get some training in its use.

I agree with Genesis, you should also have a demand valve. Expensive, maybe, but I assure you that it would be money well spent. IMHPO an even-more-expensive surface rebreather is not the way to give a casualty 100% oxygen.

I hope this helps.

 

[SubMariner]

We bought our DAN O2 kit about 10 years ago. Other than getting the cylinder hydro'd and the occasional preventative maintenance check, it has cost us very little to maintain. The price back then was about $400 Cdn.

So think about it... you paid good money for quality scuba equipment that you KNOW will last a long time. Why not make the same investment is something equally important?

JMHO,

~SubMariner~

 

[mddolson]

Dr Paul Thomas advised: it is essential for any bag and mask system to have a pressure release valve !

It does, thanks for the input.

Dr Thomas:"I agree with Genesis, you should also have a demand valve. "

I am Looking for one, thanks.

Submariner bubbled: DAN O2 kit .......The price back then was about $400 Cdn. " Why not make the same investment is something equally important?


The current price is $460 US plus shipping.
I believe the quality of my gear to be just as good.
The aluminum tanks is not new, but all the other gear is. I think DAN just gear is over priced. I called a Parmedic supplier in Toronto and they quoted $450 in Canadian $ including a Pelican case.

I'd like to add I am down playing the importance of the safety gear. My O2 kit is my personal gear and suppliments dive shop's kit, whom I teach for.
$450 US nets out at about $675 Canadian.
Thats excessive.

MIke D

 

[SubMariner]

The aluminum tanks is not new, but all the other gear is. I think DAN just gear is over priced. I called a Parmedic supplier in Toronto and they quoted $450 in Canadian $ including a Pelican case

Are the regulators the same type? There are two methods of delivery on the DAN version: demand and constant flow. There are also multiple settings for constant flow.

~SubMariner~

 

[The Iceni]

SubMariner once bubbled...
Are the regulators the same type? There are two methods of delivery on the DAN version: demand and constant flow. There are also multiple settings for constant flow.

I apologise if I am teaching granny to suck eggs but it is worth giving a basic overview of diving medical oxygen kits. I am sure those considering buying one will already know what follows but for the avarage diver perhaps it is worth looking at what a divers' medical oxygen kit is for?

A diver's medical oxygen kit is used in three situations

1. A conscious casualty
   
2. An unconscious casualty who is breathing
   
3. A casualty who is not breathing[/list=1]

1. 
   
   Clearly the first is the commonest situation and the last is a potentially dire situation in which even an expertly trained first-responder will have difficulty in achieving success as the casualty's lungs must be artificially ventilated.
   
   A demand valve gives 100% oxygen very efficiently and is appropriate to use in case "1" but is less likely to be used successfully in case "2". Here a wasteful constant flow of 15 litres per minute may be the best that can be given.
   
   The lungs of the third casualty can be effectively ventilated with oxygen in at least three ways with increasing complexity.
   
   1. Expired air resuscitation; the rescuer inhaling 100% oxygen ("the kiss of life")
      
   2. Bag and mask with oxygen supply (Some DVs fit to the bag inlet allowing 100% oxygen to be used.)
      
   3. Triggered power inflation by DV resuscitator directly connected to a soft latex mask. (qualified personnel only).
   
   Most agencies recommend a minimum of a demand valve and a second adjustable constant-flow oxygen supply capable of delivering at least 15 l/min.
   
   O two of Canada manufacture the best demand valves and DV resuscitators I have come across. In the UK Gas Control Equipment supply these to order as complete kits with their Mediline first stages. They are available with various fittings and connectors, including DIN and shraeder valves.
   
   Hope that helps. :doctor:

 

[ouachita]

mddolson once bubbled...
.
$450 US nets out at about $675 Canadian.
Thats excessive.

MIke D

That is not excessive if someones life depends on it.

 

[mddolson]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ouachita once bubbled...

That is not excessive if someones life depends on it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this subject we can agree to disagree.
What would be excessive, or is any price ok ?

When I can purchase the same materials already buddled in a Pelican case, from a reputable Life support/Ambulance supply (no DAN logo) company for $450 (Can $) then $675 is excessive.

I do not believe calling it life support or emergency, or ambulance, or rescue or DAN or what ever you want to call it justifies a 40% price premium.

Same Demand Valve? :The quote was for a demand valve, with 2nd constant flow setting variable 5 -25 liters per minute.

Mike D