How to Use an Oxygen Regulator

Masks are attached to regulators so that patients can breathe the oxygen.

High-pressure oxygen has a variety of uses, such as for breathing while scuba diving and for use in medical emergencies. Regulators are used to convert compressed oxygen from a tank to a breathable pressure. You should use an oxygen-clean regulator due to the risks of combustion. An oxygen regulator can be easily set up on a tank

Things You'll Need

• Oxygen tank
• Regulator assembly, including first and second stages
• Adjustable wrench

Instructions

1. Attach the regulator to the oxygen tank by screwing it to the valve. Tighten the connection with a wrench if your valve does not have an o-ring seal. Regulators should be attached on scuba tanks as tight as you can make them with your fingers.

2. Connect the regulator to a mouthpiece or mask. If the regulator does not come pre-assembled, you can do it yourself by screwing a hose onto the port that will connect it to the demand valve (the second stage of the regulator from which the patient or diver breathes). Attach the other end of the hose to the demand valve.

3. Open the tank valve slowly by twisting it counterclockwise. Check the pressure gauge to see how much oxygen is in the tank.

4. Set the oxygen flow rate by twisting the adjuster on the regulator until you reach the desired rate. The most common flow rate is 15 liters per minute.

5. Place the regulator in your mouth or instruct a patient to breathe from the regulator.

References

• DAN: Oxygen First Aid
• PADI Enriched Air Diver Manual; Drew Richardson, Ph.D.; 2006