Getting 100% O2 fills?

[grey2112]

I recenty purchased some O2 bottles, regulator, and respirator for emergencies on the boat. I take out divers and free-divers and am worried about narcosis, DCS, etc. I feel responsible for trying to ensure the safety of my guests.

Tanks are 100% O2, filled right now. Eventually I realize that I will either use them in an emergency or they'll eventually lose some psi over the months/years.

Will I need to get specialized training/certification so I can get it refilled at a dive shop? Will I need a physician's prescription?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Normally a shop would demand advanced nitrox or a CCR cert before dispensing 100% O2, but if you're showing up with a properly labeled/tested emergency kit-style bottle, I would think they'd just fill/top it for you no questions asked.​

 

[grey2112]

Wondering if I'll need to take the DAN Emergency Oxygen course. I am a medical professional with BLS training and work in a hospital. I could probably get one of my doctors to write a script.

 

[Texasguy]

When I took First Responder course for Rescue, O2 Provider specialty was offered. I was assured that it would be enough.

 

[USFpsychDiver]

I see you're in New Port Richey, not far from Cave Country. None of the shops up there ask questions; never tried anywhere else. Without going to High Springs I'd probably start out with Scuba West or Birds. Better yet get a relationship with a shop so they know who you are and that you're not planning to use it as a deco bottle for an uncertified Eagle's Nest dive.

 

[rx7diver]

Will I need to get specialized training/certification so I can get it refilled at a dive shop? Will I need a physician's prescription?

Grey2112,

The DAN instructor who taught my (private) Advanced Oxygen Provider course is a physician. He told me that some hospitals/pharmacies where I live (Midwest USA) will not re-fill/exchange a medical oxygen bottle if there is no prescription, but some might. He has a standing offer to write any of his certies a prescription if they should ever have problems getting a medical/DAN oxygen bottle filled (so long as it will be used only for scuba emergencies).

My IANTD Advanced Deep Air or IANTD Technical Nitrox cert cards are enough to purchase oxygen from a technical scuba shop, but I've only ever had a scuba shop fill a scuba cylinder with pure oxygen. (I don't know if they would fill a medical/DAN oxygen bottle.)

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

 

[grey2112]

Thanks, guys. I have my Nitrox and AOW training, but that might not be enough. Thinking of taking the DAN Emergency Oxygen course/certification.

 

[hroark2112]

If you're running divers on the boat, you might consider taking the EFR/O2 provider course and having the card handy. That should go a long way towards getting your O2 fills and it's good advertising to have it on your boat.

 

[Akimbo]

I doubt you will have much trouble getting pure oxygen in a bottle that is obviously set up with a surface emergency breathing mask. If not, you can probably get it filled at a medical or industrial gas supplier. A little common sense is in order here.

 

[Tug]

I've never had an issue filling a medical o2 bottle at a dive shop. I had recently purchased an emergency o2 kit and started asking at the shops in the area that I knew had o2 and the first one gladly filled it.

Heck, if you want, PM your address and I'll mail you one of the big DAN stickers they put on the tanks they sell. I have a whole pile of them.


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