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Emergency oxygen
Also called: oxygen tank, O2 cylinder, emergency O2
A portable tank of oxygen with masks for medical emergencies.
Oxygen is one of the basic emergency drugs every office keeps. It comes in a portable cylinder (green in the US) with a regulator and masks or a nasal cannula. The clinician decides when and how much to give; for example, oxygen is not given for hyperventilation.
How to spot it
- A green metal cylinder with a regulator and flow dial, usually on a cart or in the emergency kit area.
What it is used for
- Bring it to the chair in any medical emergency; the trained clinician sets the flow.
- Typical delivery is a nasal cannula at low flow or a non-rebreather mask at high flow.
Safety and care
- Keep it away from flames and heat; secure it so it cannot fall.
- Check the tank pressure and supplies on your office's schedule and refill or replace when low.
Related
Sources: Malamed SF. Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office, 8th ed. Elsevier, 2022, ADA Oral Health Topics. Nitrous Oxide