COVID-19 – Safety & General Information Package for Oxygen Handlers
Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. I imagine over the coming weeks and month’s oxygen administration may well be handled by many who may never have done so before. This might well be in the home or elsewhere. There is much to consider when handling oxygen and it seems prudent to share what information I can.
Unfortunately, we ourselves do not have an oxygen facility or hyperbaric facility at this time. It’s what we have been working toward but haven’t yet been able to make a reality. While we have been doing this, we have actively been sharing information and raising awareness. We do however have information and technical skill and knowledge to offer at this time. The information and knowledge I have accrued from over 25 years around the diving industry may very well be useful to someone. Even if just one person, it will be worthwhile to share it now.
Regular readers will know that I’ve been working on a resource and training manual for some time now. It was intended to go up for sale and for use in consultant services to raise money for the dream. The dream being a large multi-place hyperbaric chamber for Cumbria that we can offer free, or for a much reduced cost that we can offer wellbeing services in. In time it still will do however for now I feel it’s important to draw relevant extracts from the health and safety section on safe gas handling and make this available for free. I will also add the full physics section as a PDF for free download.
I do so with the following disclaimer however:
This is not really a DIY manual. It is not intended as a sole source of instruction and is offered free of charge at the discretion of the user to use or not use the information contained herein. The author, [me], assumes no responsibility for the application or use of this material and it is offered for informational purposes only.
I am also available to assist with any community projects which require qualified oxygen administrators and handlers. I can also offer further advice if required. As a commercial diving supervisor and long time technical and recreational dive leader this is nothing new. In fact, a great many divers are well trained in cross infection mitigation and oxygen administration. This could very well be a useful resource in the coming months.
I previously shared an article which was subsequently updated, as well as information on oxygen toxicity which comes as a three-part series. I will add to this now by adding a PDF for download on safe gas handling. Oxygen must be handled safely to avoid fire explosion, toxicity and so on. This is my personal operations material but has been instrumental in my own safe oxygen handling for many years. I wanted to put this all in a single place for easy reference. Below you will find links to the relevant articles and downloads.
OXYGEN AS AN ANTI-BACTERIAL & ANTI-VIRAL AGENT
PHYSICS, JOHN DALTON AND THE CUMBRIAN CONNECTION
OXYGEN TOLERANCE – MYTH VS FACT – AN INTRODUCTION TO A THREE PART SERIES
OXYGEN TOLERANCE – PART TWO – CEREBRAL / CNS TOXICITY
OXYGEN TOLERANCE – PART THREE – PULMONARY OXYGEN TOXICITY & THE REPEX METHOD
The new PDF files can be downloaded here:
Prohibited items in The Chamber
Health & Safety – Safe Gas Handling
Overview (The section on oxygen transport and gas exchange is relevant – Page 13 to 17, and fire safety from page 80 to 83)
Polite notice: There has been criticism of some hyperbaric operators becoming opportunist at this trying time. Unfortunately, some have indeed increased their rates. I assure you, we earn nothing and charge nothing for what little we are able to do at this time. Albeit just information, information and knowledge are power and key to most endeavours.
Stay safe and stay well everyone.
As always, I am available for the community.
Hayden.
©Hayden Dunstan
