Posted by John B (216.85.128.129) on August 17, 2000 at 12:49:39:
In Reply to: CH's O2 posted by Troy Blackwell on August 17, 2000 at 11:59:32:
Hi, Troy,
Yes, many people who post here have reported using welding oxygen instead of medical oxygen. My understanding is that in many places the source is the same, and the oxygen is derived in exactly the same way, so there is no difference. However, this is not always true, and there are no guarantees. Welding oxygen CAN contain other gasses and contaminants, and the cylinders in which it is stored may contain more moisture, rust, metal filings, or who knows what, as there are no rules and regulations governing welding oxygen as there are governing medical oxygen. SO, my personal advice to you would be to wait if you can. Having said that, I will also say that I probably wouldn't take my own advice if I were clustering.
The problem is that you will need specialized regulators and a non-rebreathing type mask. The regulator needs to be the kind with a dial calibrated between 0-15 liters/minute. Where do you live?
LYG
John