Re: Usage of O2 Bottle!
AAdamski_at_aol.com
Mon, 1 Feb 1999 17:04:50 EST
Joktan:
A few years ago I did some research regarding the requirements of
administering oxygen to passengers for an air carrier training program and I
will try to relate what I remember about the subject. To begin, in the United
States there are two agencies overseeing the requirements of administering
oxygen to passengers aboard aircraft: the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During a medical
emergency (what defines an emergency is not clearly defined), the FDA allows
anyone to administer oxygen at 6 liters or more; however, if the liter flow is
less than 6, then it must be administered by a qualified medical person!
Oxygen administered at less than 6 liter flow requires a prescription. Thus, a
4 liter flow administered by a crewmember to a passenger in a medical
emergency is not in accordance with FDA regulation, but as I understand it,
the FAA is silent on the issue. Additionally, as I remember, it is actually
possible to give certain people (emphysemics) an overdose of oxygen and create
a toxic situation. Well, I do not know if this answered any of your questions,
or just confused you further. Hopefully, it helped. This remains a confusing
issue due to the overlap of regulatory authority.
Regards,
Tony Adamski, Ph.D.
Eastern Michigan University