Portable oxygen equipment, Auckland

[sgenie]

Dear All,

I am looking for a place to hire portable oxygen equipment in Auckland - is there such thing or shall I ask around privately?

[luckyluke]

Can get a bottle of O2 from BOC not sure if they can supply a regulator with it though. You will also need to source a cannula as well ( shouldn't be too hard)

[sgenie]

Thanks, Luckyluke

[mcoates]

You need proper aviation oxygen, these are very large tall black bottle with a white top. Don't be fooled to thinking you can use oxygen which is used for welding/brazing and don't think you can use normal medical oxygen, the moisture content whilst low in medical oxygen is still too high for aviation use and it can cause problems with the equipment because the moisture condensates and the condensation freezes. The regulators for the proper aviation oxygen bottles are restricted supply, you have to do a course (in Australia at least) before they will sell you the special feeding to allow you to transfer oxygen from one of the large high pressure cylinders into whatever you are using for your oxygen supply. Being in New Zealand the first place I would look is some of the areas where gliding at high altitudes is common because they always have oxygen on board, try the South Island of New Zealand as a starting point. Do not try to take any shortcuts, everything must be done properly, we have to use special gloves and all of the fittings need to be especially capped when not in use because even things like the contaminants, moisture and oils on your hand getting on the thread of the transfer system can become toxic at altitude and just a little bit of contamination can kill you really quickly. It really is not that simple so try and learn from others who have done it before you.

[sgenie]

Thanks - gliding club is a good idea

[luckyluke]

I did many a flight in an unpressurised aircraft up to the flight levels using medical oxygen supplied by BOC with one of these regulators Oxygen Spectrum 0-25 LPM Oxygen Regulator with and without DISS outlets
in New Zealand in ambient temperatures down to -25C, the system to which ran through the aircraft was a CAA approved mod also.
As stated prior, depending on the altitudes involved and the type of operation you plan on using the oxy for it might be a good idea to seek further information from people that use such systems similar to what you intend on using it for.