Oxygen Sources?

[KWBuddy]

I use a sailboat for sucba diving. One of the issues with sailboats has to do with diving accidents. The boat is slow and doing a MedEvac from the boat is hampered by the fact that there is a mast sticking up 40 feet in the air. Add to that the fact that I intend to dive some remote sites that may be a long way from the nearest medical facility.

An obvious answer would be for me to take the DAN Oxygen Provider course and get a DAN Oxygen kit. However the downside of that (aside from cost) is the small size of the oxygen source. A trip in from the closest reef would take a couple of hours to the dock, but the DAN Standard O2 unit offers only "around 15-25 minutes of oxygen flow to an injured diver." Diving remote Bahama locations makes any medical help that much farther away.

I was chatting with a doctor (MD) who suggested I might try to adapt an industrial oxygen cylinder. At first I was surprised by this suggestion especially since it came from a doctor, but it does make sense given the fact that any oxygen cylinders need to be extremely clean.

So, given my special case (normally dive a long way from help and limited budget) what are my best choices for emergency oxygen on the boat?

--

Bud

 

[StSomewhere]

DAN sells a REMO2, its basically an O2 rebreather/CO2 scrubber addition for the std O2 kit.

 

[gert7to3]

My first thought was a welding supply shop as a source for O2 in a remote area. Don't know if a DAN unit would connect to a commercial industrial cylinder. I bet it would require an adapter.

However, contact a respiratory therapist or a home oxygen provider. They would have the specialized, longer term O2 supply equipment you are after and it's adapted for use by humans. Ought to be in Hospital Equip. & Supplies, Oxygen Therapy or Oxygen in the phone book.

 

[The Chairman]

Any Medical oxygen facility can sell you LARGE bottles of O2. These are substantially LARGER than the ones in an O2 unit. You can also pick up O2 units on E-Bay relatively CHEAP!

Also, ASHI and PADI both offer O2 provider instruction.

 

[pescador775]

I wish your post had appeared earlier. A year ago, I found a deal on EBay for NEW 120 cf oxygen cylinders, the "official" aluminum type with #540 valves. You could lash one of these cylinders to a padeye or something and have a bit of security for long trips. It might be a problem getting one of these filled so you should check with your supplier. They may require that the bottle be internally inspected (by them). Another foray to EBay for a nice oxygen regulator and some cheap free flow masks and you would be set. One comment about the masks, these include an open port on one side to admit air. Another way to understand this is dilution. It would be advisable to place a strip of tape over the hole to ensure near 100% O2 to the victim. If you decide to go small, the O2 supply could be extended by purchasing a "demand" mask. This requires a special regulator but they appear regularly on EBay. The regulator should have a DISS port (and, better-- also with freeflow port with barb connector).

Incidentally, I use welder's oxygen and have never had an issue with it. Getting "medical" oxygen (in the US, it's the same stuff) can be a hassle.

 

[lotsofgadgets]

Pick up the Oxy Hackers Companion from Airspeed Press. The book details how to create your own O2 kit and how to adapt different cylinders. I found lots of good tips and built my own O2 kit for under $75 bucks.

www.airspeedpress.com

 

[The Chairman]

It would be advisable to place a strip of tape over the hole .

Actually, NO, it would not be advisable to place tape over the hole(s). Depending on the delivery rate, you NEED the extra air in order to respirate correctly.

For a %100 delivery, please use an "on demand" regulator. These are only suitable for conscious victims.

 

[double80s]

A standard O2 kit should suit most boaters needs. If you have an emergency you should use your radio and put out a distress call. The Coast Guard or a nearby motor boat would serve your victim better than trying to motor a sailboat to help.

 

[BigJetDriver]

A standard O2 kit should suit most boaters needs. If you have an emergency you should use your radio and put out a distress call. The Coast Guard or a nearby motor boat would serve your victim better than trying to motor a sailboat to help.

Unfortunately for this concept, our original poster has stated that he will be out in the back of beyond for some of his diving. He had best have more than a radio to use in an emergency.