Emergency oxygen comes
in differing tank sizes, and
internationally, you may encounter
different valve configurations,
so it’s a good idea
to check the local standards
when traveling. Ideally, carry
a big enough supply to keep
a patient on pure 0xygen until
in the hands of emergency
medical care. However, some
very remote dive destinations
may make this impractical
or impossible; carry as much
oxygen as you reasonably can.
Some oxygen is better than
none at all. For general purposes,
637 liters of oxygen (22.5
cubic feet; even imperial
system countries usually measure
medical oxygen in liters),
can be expected to last approximately
40 to 50 minutes, depending
upon whether used with a non
resuscitator demand valve
or continuous flow.
Like your first aid kit, your
oxygen equipment needs a case
that can withstand the rigors
of diving, ideally one in
which you can store your equipment
set up and ready to go. Most
commercially available oxygen
systems for divers come equipped
with a suitable case. Most
airlines won't let you bring
a pressurized oxygen tank
aboard the plane when you
travel. If you frequent distant
destinations that may not
have oxygen on site (i.e.,
remote locations that lack
dive resorts) you can also
get systems that have everything
except the oxygen tank. Instead,
you rent the oxygen tank at
your destination and bring
it to the dive site.
