Working a post valve oxygen cylinder.

[RobertJ]

This will probably be the most common oxygen cylinder the average person sees. Its used for home health, crash carts, emergency back ups,etc. all because its portable. They are referred to in the industry by letter designations. "E's" and "D's" being the most common. The letter designations start at C (yes there are A's and B's but not common at all.) C being small, D being a bit larger, E even larger. Each cylinder has a specific amount of oxygen in them, in cubic feet. A "E" size has 25 CF (Cubic Feet). Every size medical oxygen cylinder, A through H is filled to 2100 to 2300 PSI. Industry standard. Thats why you need a regulator, to regulate it down to a manageable/useable flow. Medical Oxygen is pure oxygen,NOT compressed air (atmosphere). That is called BA Breathing air, usually in SCBA and SCUBA (self contained breathing apparatus, and self contained underwater breathing apparatus.) SCOTT packs and SCUBA tanks mot common BA.

This is a post style "oxygen valve"

You can tell by the side by side pin holes, under the larger hole. The larger hole is where the oxygen comes out of cylinder (at 2100 PSI).

This is a Post valve regulator, they come in many shapes,sizes,colors and basically work the same.

you can be certain its Medical oxygen by the side by side pins.

Why the pins on the post valve and regulator you ask? These cylinders go onto many different medical apperatus/equipment with other gases and specialty gases. Not just oxygen regulators. One such common piece of medical equipment is an anesthesia machine found at most Dental offices, vet clinics, and surgical centers. The pins on an medical oxygen (MO) are side by side. The Nitrous Oxide (N2O) post valve, the pin holes are diagonal one higher then the other. This is to "IDIOT" proof connecting the cylinders to the machines. This is to prevent the patient from being killed. Wonder how many people died before that was figured out back in the day? We have received more then one call that their cylinders "dont fit". They were trying to put a MO on a N2O fitting. Scary huh?

Here is a group photo of different post valve cylinders, regulators and wrenches/keys. To turn on a post style valve of all gas types you need a non ferris wrench (commonly called a key) they come in Plastic primarily now a days but are also made in aluminum and stainless. You dont see the stainless now a days due to the tendency for the operator to turn the valve the wrong way and snap the valve off the valve stem. The plastic and aluminum wrenches will strip out first.



USE If Regulator is unattached.
Place regulator over valve stem, lining the pins on the regulator up with the matching pin holes on the valve stem. If the pins do not line up, do not force it, this may mean you have the wrong type of gas for that regulator.
Confirm the T-handle fits into the small round depression on opposite side of pin holes/valve stem. Hand tighten the T-handle (do not over tighten, or use tools to tighten)

[RobertJ]

To turn on the MO, turn the valve with wrench counter clock wise, all cylinders work the same. To turn off turn valve clockwise. Lefty loosey, Righty tighty.
Using the wrench slowly and carefully turn the valve on. Open valve all the way, then back it off one full turn.The gauge will read the contents of cylinder.



Full tanks will read 2000 PSI.

Do not have any cannula or mask lines hooked up.First open the flow meter regulated in liters per minute, and purge the regulator. Roll the dial from 1 to 15. This is a step many skip. This purge is to check that the meter is working on all settings and to blow out any dust, debre,and yes insect parts or eggs (its happened) sorry for gross out. Once purged you are ready to hook up the line to your mask or cannula and to purge the new in wrap mask/cannula and set to the proper LPM for patient.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

great write up Robert...thanks

[justanothergunnut]

Thanks Robert.. I appreciate the time you took to do this.