by Paul V. Arnold

Youre on the assembly line or in the tool crib or in your cubicle when you see a co-worker collapse.

The co-worker is unconscious but breathing. With each passing second, the victim risks the chance of brain damage or death.

A buddy does the important, immediate first thing and calls 911, but it will take five or more minutes before the ambulance and its oxygen arrive.

A good idea is to supply oxygen to the co-worker until the ambulance comes. However, many plants dont keep pressurized oxygen tanks on hand because of the high cost of maintenance and the regulatory hassles involved since theyre combustible and carry a hazardous material classification.

If a tank is available, you must lug it to the scene and consider: Whats the proper flow rate? How do I know if the regulator and gauge are working properly? How do I know how much oxygen is in the tank?

An ingenious, new safety product takes much of the guesswork, paperwork and cost out of having emergency medical oxygen.

System O2 from O2 Solutions Inc. is a non-pressurized, portable, lightweight oxygen delivery system for first-response situations.

The kit includes a water bottle, canister, oxygen mask and two biodegradable chemical powders.

In four steps, and 30 to 60 seconds, you can turn three ingredients into 99 percent pure oxygen. The steps:

1) Take the water bottle and fill the canisters base and tank.

2) Add the prepackaged white powder (sodium percarbonate).

3) Add the prepackaged black powder (manganese dioxide).

4) Close the canister.

The ensuing chemical reaction separates hydrogen from oxygen and releases that oxygen through the mask at a proper flow rate of five to six liters per minute for 15 minutes.

The kit is cheaper than a pressurized tank, requires no servicing and is not subject to regulations regarding the handling of compressed gas.

This article appeared in the April/May 2001 issue of MRO Today. Copyright, 2001.

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