Letter Re: Welding Oxygen Versus Medical Oxygen

Jim,
In one of the letters about acquiring oxygen, the following statement was made by a SurvivalBlog reader: “Aviation, medical and welder’s oxygen are all pure, dry and inexpensive. There is a deadly difference between oxygen made for use by a machine and oxygen made for use by people. Compressors, like any other machine, must be lubricated. Air compressors used in a dive shop [or a medical supply company] will use a natural oil, like peanut oil. Compressors used to inflate a car tire, or produce air and oxygen for welding and manufacturing processes, generally use a light machine oil. Breathing air containing trace amounts of machine oil can cause serious health problems or even death. Leaking oxygen can also cause normal chemical process to become explosive.

We all need to keep in mind that some things, like oxygen, explosives, and chemical storage are best left to experts. If someone is dead set on doing something, then they should spend the time and take the training to become an expert.