Solutions for First Aid Oxygen on my boat?

[grey2112]

Since I'm still relatively new to diving, but own my own boat and dive off it with friends/family, I figure I need o2 for safety and liability - plus it seems to me that it is just the right thing to do.

What suggestions would you have for me on meeting this need? I see that DAN has various O2 kits available, plus I'm sure there are numerous other outfitters - don't know if some are considered more marine and diver friendly than others. I suppose someone could use a pony tank that is labeled properly and filled only with 100% O2 and has the proper delivery system.

I work at a hospital and we have various cannulas, full face masks, etc. available as well.

Interested in hearing my options and your recommendations.

 

[Malpaso]

You mention that you work at a hospital. Are you O2 certified?

 

[nimoh]

I am interested in this discussion. I have been looking around for a flow adjustable regulator and face mask that could be attached to a standard scuba valve (DIN or yoke).

I have a 40ft3 and an 80ft3 deco bottle with 100% oxygen, and not really interested in maintaining a medical O2 bottle as well.

 

[Croomrider]

I use one of DAN's kits on my boat for the peace of mind as well. Got the one with two jumbo-D cylinders because we're usually farther offshore than one would last. There may be other options as well, but I like that the whole kit comes in a nice Pelican box that is sealed from the elements.

Mike

 

[grey2112]

You mention that you work at a hospital. Are you O2 certified?

I am an xray tech - I've actually not heard of any sort of O2 certification - would that be something that a Respiratory Therapist would get? We routinely administer oxygen as needed - I think any of us with BLS/CPR and our license to administer Radiation also allows us to give oxygen as-needed to patients.

 

[Malpaso]

I am an xray tech - I've actually not heard of any sort of O2 certification - would that be something that a Respiratory Therapist would get? We routinely administer oxygen as needed - I think any of us with BLS/CPR and our license to administer Radiation also allows us to give oxygen as-needed to patients.

Pre-hospital administration of O2 is different than in a hospital environment. It's not rocket science, and with your experience I'm sure you would have no issues, but it is different. Knowing demand v. free flow regulators is important (some have both).

Many LDS offer O2 certification, and DAN does as well. It is a useful class.

You also want to check to see what the stipulations for refilling medical O2 tanks in your area are. Some places require medical credentials to refill, others, not so much.

 

[grey2112]

Gotcha - thanks for the education

Pre-hospital administration of O2 is different than in a hospital environment. It's not rocket science, and with your experience I'm sure you would have no issues, but it is different. Knowing demand v. free flow regulators is important (some have both).

Many LDS offer O2 certification, and DAN does as well. It is a useful class.

You also want to check to see what the stipulations for refilling medical O2 tanks in your area are. Some places require medical credentials to refill, others, not so much.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I just have an oxygen cleaned reg and a scuba tank painted super ugly and marked as oxygen. I am comfortable with that, plus eventually you may want to use it in the water. It is great for Co2 headaches as well. 10 hits of oxygen, a bottle of water and some aspirin is a miracle sometimes. If the diver is not able to breath from a regulator on the boat, his chances are not too good anyway, plus the reg delivers straight 100% oxygen.

 

[grey2112]

I just have an oxygen cleaned reg and a scuba tank painted super ugly and marked as oxygen. I am comfortable with that, plus eventually you may want to use it in the water. It is great for Co2 headaches as well. 10 hits of oxygen, a bottle of water and some aspirin is a miracle sometimes. If the diver is not able to breath from a regulator on the boat, his chances are not too good anyway, plus the reg delivers straight 100% oxygen.

Good idea - plus I have access to canulas and masks here - if I can get a regulator for the tank that is compatible with that, it might work out well - maybe get a pony tank for this purpose.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Good idea - plus I have access to canulas and masks here - if I can get a regulator for the tank that is compatible with that, it might work out well - maybe get a pony tank for this purpose.

A very good tank for this is an old steel 71.2 tank. They are small and they have a max pressure of around 2300 psi, which is about all you can get from the banks at a dive shop (unless they boost it). For $5 you can buy green spray paint and make the worlds ugliest green tank and then write oxygen all over it. Of course it will have to be cleaned for this use. You can also buy a new regulator for oxygen service and add a pressure guage and you are good to go.

You want to be VERY, VERY careful that your oxygen tank can not be confused with a dive tank, say in a life or death emergency when you are not on the boat. I always bring an oxygen bottle on people' s boat, if they don't have one and I always show them what it is and what it looks like and tell them that they will die if they take it diving.

In most moderate cases of decompression, the time to putting the victim on oxygen is inversely related to the chance for a full recovery. I have seen several mild bends cases (even my own), fully resolved, simply by breathing oxygen for a good while on the boat. If you are an hour or more offshore, you want enough oxygen for the ride in..a small pony is not suitable for longer runs