AusLeisure

Following a recent incident at a facility in Western Australia, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia has updated its Recommendations for Safe Use of Medical Oxygen Cylinders.

The incident in Western Australia saw two people injured in a lifeguard training session, when one lifeguard lost control of the cylinder during the cracking process. Consequently the cylinder shot through the air - injuring two people Royal Life Saving advised "the dangers involved in the process of cracking a cylinder, such as those outlined above, have resulted in the decision to remove the instruction to crack a cylinder prior to attaching a regulator.”

Recommendations for Safe Use of Medical Oxygen Cylinders Position Statement
The dangers involved in the process of cracking a cylinder, such as those outlined above, have resulted in the decision to remove the instruction to crack a cylinder prior to attaching a regulator. While it as been common place to crack cylinders for reasons of hygiene, changes to packaging that has been implemented over a period of time, has also nullified the importance of this method.

The following advice should extend to Training Sessions and Aquatic Centre procedures involving the setup and use of Medical Grade Oxygen:

• Read the supplier's instructions for all gas products carefully
• Comply with the supplier's instructions
• Do NOT crack the cylinder, or open the valve before the regulator has been fitted to the cylinder
• If difficulties occur when fitting the regulator to the cylinder, or if further information is required, contact the cylinder supplier and regulator supplier before acting. There could be a mismatch or damage to locator pins, so it is important to identify the problem rather than apply force.

Further information can be found at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/publications/safety-alert-042019-safe-use-medical-oxygen-cylinders 

Click here to read the Royal Life Saving advice.

Related Articles

11th October 2019 - Royal Life Saving WA presents 2019 Bravery Awards

9th October 2019 - Aquatic centre study shows school swimming programs not enough to keep children safe

15th August 2019 - South Hedland primary school children learn to Swim My Way

14th July 2019 - Chlorine issue sees temporary closure of Launceston Aquatic Centre

24th May 2019 - 14 people hospitalised following chlorine gas incident at Fitness Club 360 in Tamida

24th January 2019 - Royal Life Saving WA helps women learn to Swim and Survive 

15th June 2018 - Education program teaches youth migrants how to stay safe in Australian waters

19th March 2018 - Colin Hassell named President of Royal Life Saving WA

12th January 2017 - Royal Life Saving looks to prevent drowning in Western Australia’s migrant population

28th August 2014 - Swimmers need medical treatment after chlorine leak at Craigie Leisure Centre

29th August 2011 - Lifeguards are not babysitters!: Watch Around Water launches new website

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.