Mildly O/T, Does Oxygen therapy have hidden (or unhidden) threats for shooters?

[Greg Langelius *]

Owing to an embarrassing eight days in the hospital for double pneumonia; I am at home with both in home concentrator and on-road cylinders (4hr).

I have some concerns about going shooting while wearing a nasal cannula dispensing 2L of O2. Is there any serious hazard involved?

Greg

 

[Texasflyer]

Fire and oxygen dont mix.... ever. If you are recovering from pneumonia why would you risk getting a relapse instead of healing up properly before going to shoot?

 

[Texasflyer]

Also and this is sad, but i man i know recently passed from going out and burning brush while on o2.... horrible, horrible thing it was. Always err on the side of caution.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

OK, great advice. I'll hold off, the O2 is supposed to be temporary.

Much thanks for taking the time and effort to respond.

Greg

 

[Texasflyer]

I would probably build some ammo if it were me, i still scratch that itch even when im stuck inside. That or do dry fire drills, clean things i have neglected to clean in awhile. The further i get into the sport the less it seems i actually shoot, now there is a whole process before, during and after that takes up so much more time. When i dont have a choice and am stuck in, its actually nice to get some stuff pre done lol.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Yes, I have some 9mm Luger and 44 Rem Mag dies and components to set up and get working. These will be for Carbines (and some 9mm XTP for home defense). So, I've got stuff to keep me busy. Thanks for the suggestion.

Who would have ever thought of Pneumonia as an opportunity to advance the hobby?

Life is seldom convenient, but it can be quite entertaining, anyway.

FWIW it's worth, I'm really shipshape; the lungs are totally clear.

After three days in the hospital they sent me home, but I re-arrived at the ER in the ambulance four hours later. We got it right on the second try, five days worth.

Greg

 

[308pirate]

Fire and oxygen dont mix.... ever. If you are recovering from pneumonia why would you risk getting a relapse instead of healing up properly before going to shoot?

If he was shooting on oxygen while smoking a stogie, you might have a point. Otherwise, pretty ridiculous extrapolation.

 

[Texasflyer]

If he was shooting on oxygen while smoking a stogie, you might have a point. Otherwise, pretty ridiculous extrapolation.

You have never been hit by a riccochet? Had one whizz close? What if it hit a 1500 lb aluminum cylinder of oxygen? Just seems kinda risky and obviously he isnt healed yet, for the most part why risk getting pneumonia again? But everybody is in charge of their own well being in the end.

 

[Texasflyer]

If he was shooting on oxygen while smoking a stogie, you might have a point. Otherwise, pretty ridiculous extrapolation.

Maybe its just being an oilfeild guy and having seen what can go wrong alot that makes me more cautious. I think of oxygen tanks and shooting and a big red flag goes off in my head. If it was on my range i would not allow it.

 

[308pirate]

Maybe its just being an oilfeild guy and having seen what can go wrong alot that makes me more cautious. I think of oxygen tanks and shooting and a big red flag goes off in my head. If it was on my range i would not allow it.

There's no rational basis for your fears. Good thing you don't run a range

 

[308pirate]

You have never been hit by a riccochet? Had one whizz close? What if it hit a 1500 lb aluminum cylinder of oxygen? J

I've been hit by pistol bullet splatter from steel downrange. It didn't do shit.

When was the last time you saw a ricochet come back at a rifle range where people are shooting 100 yard? What if he's shooting at something 500 yards away?

And what if a ricochet hits his bottle? What of it? If the one that hit me didn't even draw blood, it ain't going to do shit to a metal tank.

You're not the only one who's ever worked in dangerous environments.

 

[Texasflyer]

There's no rational basis for your fears. Good thing you don't run a range

I have my own private range. When i invite others to shoot i am responsible for their and my saftey and i take it seriously. In 20 years of some of the most dangerous oilfeild work you can do i have never had anyone injured under my operations. I get it that its a one in a million, probably nothing goes wrong thing. But i personally would bot allow those odds in play at my range.

 

[Texasflyer]

I've been hit by pistol bullet splatter from steel downrange. It didn't do shit.

When was the last time you saw a ricochet come back at a rifle range where people are shooting 100 yard? What if he's shooting at something 500 yards away?

And what if a ricochet hits his bottle? What of it? If the one that hit me didn't even draw blood, it ain't going to do shit to a metal tank.

You're not the only one who's ever worked in dangerous environments.

Ive been hit in the ribs more than a few times and never had it draw blood either, but i had a heavy buddy took a peice to the stomach that he still has in him. Its chance what happens. Proper saftey doesnt need anyones approval, this guy knew it wasnt such a hot idea when he posted the thread otherwise he woulda just went and shot....

 

[JBoomhauer]

That’s not how oxygen works. If your clothes is saturated and you light a cigarette, your clothes may light a bit easier. It’s not a bomb

 

[Texasflyer]

You guys have good arguments, all i have is murphys law.

 

[308pirate]

You guys have good arguments, all i have is murphys law an irrational, emotional response

FIFY

 

[Texasflyer]

FIFY

You are a real hardcore kinda guy, bet you smoke at the gas pumps and scare little old ladies for fun. Edge lord, im a little frightened of you and i gotta say i kinda like it. In the end, i only gave my opinion. The opinion that it seemed unsafe. If you own a range then by all means, wheel in canisters and start blastin, post it on youtube. On my range, your kinda attitude goes home mad and early.

 

[JBoomhauer]

It’s not flammable, it’s an accelerant. Mixed with other flammable gasses, yeah a big problem. Alone it’s not a big deal.

 

[308pirate]

You are a real hardcore kinda guy, bet you smoke at the gas pumps and scare little old ladies for fun. Edge lord, im a little frightened of you and i gotta say i kinda like it. In the end, i only gave my opinion. The opinion that it seemed unsafe. If you own a range then by all means, wheel in canisters and start blastin, post it on youtube. On my range, your kinda attitude goes home mad and early.

I rely on knowledge based on science and facts, not on emotional reactions or opinions not backed up by how things really are.

Oxygen is not fucking flammable. It's an oxidizer. It's a huge difference and I can tell real quick who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't based on their reaction to that gas.

Like I said before, you don't have a monopoly on having worked in dangerous occupations.

 

[roostercogburn98]

fuck it, I’m gonna go buy an o2 tank and head to the backyard range.

 

[Jscb1b]

I'm glad you are out of the hospital and on the mend!

 

[Texasflyer]

I rely on knowledge based on science and facts, not on emotional reactions or opinions not backed up by how things really are.

Oxygen is not fucking flammable. It's an oxidizer. It's a huge difference and I can tell real quick who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't based on their reaction to that gas.

Like I said before, you don't have a monopoly on having worked in dangerous occupations.

I realize im not the only person who works a dangerous job, the way you write its like you think everyone is obtuse but yourself. Even if its not flammable, it is still a pressured up container. It doesnt have to be flammable to be dangerous. I feel like you got a stick up your ass for me at some point, how bout i take ya down to the yellow rose and we can have a few beers and watch some tits and see if ya dont like me in person.

 

[MK20]

It is not about whether you are a nice person. It is about your horrible grasp of science that leads you to making decisions based on emotion. In this case that emotion is fear. Your decision making process is no better that the liberal Karen who wants to ban AR rifles because they are black and scary.

I feel sorry for those you supervised at work.

 

[Texasflyer]

It is not about whether you are a nice person. It is about your horrible grasp of science that leads you to making decisions based on emotion. In this case that emotion is fear. Your decision making process is no better that the liberal Karen who wants to ban AR rifles because they are black and scary.

I feel sorry for those you supervised at work.

Ahahahahaha, ok. Cant believe on a site full of pro shooters that im alone on this, and not only that being called a karen lol, i dont want to ban oxygen.... im not afraid of it... but believe what you want. Insulting me isnt going to make me feel like im wrong. Feel sorry for whoever you want to. Its all just opinion anyways.

 

[Jscb1b]

What a bunch of fucking assholes. Greg just got out of the hospital and you bitches are trying to see who has the most sand in their vag.

 

[Texasflyer]

In what part of you guys knowledge and facts does a guy who just got over pneumonia and still requires bottled oxygen at all seem beneficial to be on the range? Yalls argument has basically been that im stupid, but you havent given one argument for why it would be a good idea to do it.

 

[Texasflyer]

Yeah, sorry Greg. I should have kept my opinions to myself. Glad you are out and getting better, sorry i was a sandy vaged little bitch on your thread. Happy shooting

 

[Snuby642]

G L sorry you have to endure that hassle.

My ex mother inlaw was on oxygen tanks for years with the nose tubes.

She never quit smoking cigarettes even with the oxygen running.

That's like 3 inches away.

Oxygen and a fuel will burn / blow.
No fule, no blow.

 

[Rocketmandb]

It’s not flammable, it’s an accelerant. Mixed with other flammable gasses, yeah a big problem. Alone it’s not a big deal.

Mixed with flame it becomes a problem. A "normal" accelerant like gasoline will make a fire burn quicker, but not hotter. With accelerants involving oxygen, flames burn hotter. Things that wouldn't normally burn with a given flame will burn.

My most fun ox story:
For a short while I worked launch pad ops where liquid hydrogen and oxygen were used for the launch vehicle. There was an oxygen leak from the liquid ox storage tank, and gaseous oxygen was blowing across the pad base. A security vehicle drove onto the pad and the engine suddenly caught on fire. The guy called for help and another patrol car came to help out. It caught on fire. The higher concentration of oxygen caused the engines to burn hot and catch on fire. By the time the fire trucks showed up, they figured it out.

A higher concentration of oxygen is nasty because people think something won't burn under a given condition, and suddenly it does. The Apollo 1 fire is an example of that. It was drilled into us that oxygen was just as dangerous, and in certain situations more, than hydrogen.

 

[308pirate]

In what part of you guys knowledge and facts does a guy who just got over pneumonia and still requires bottled oxygen at all seem beneficial to be on the range?

That's HIS call to make. Not yours or anyone else's.

@Greg Langelius * go have fun. Use common sense about where and how you place your O2 tank so it doesn't get knocked over by someone/something. Don't start a bonfire next to it. Don't shoot at Texasflyer's range.

You'll be fine.

 

[JBoomhauer]

Keep in mind we are talking about something like 6 cu ft @ 94%.

That is a good story/reminder.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

OK, returning to the subject.

I have no pressing need to go shooting while I'm on O2 right now.

I am grateful to all who took the time to respond.

My across the street neighbor was smoking outside on a 50ft O2 line. She caught fire, and died after two months in hospital. Don't be that gal. I quit back in 2004.

I won't be doing it, end of story. Safer is better than sorry.

I'm already titrating myself down on the O2 to 1L, and my PO2 level is as good as it's been in the past two years; I'll be back to 'normal' soon.

Greg

 

[Snuby642]

Well great just in time for the three digit temperatures. I wory about sunlight and Az heat.

I was doing some silver solder brazing on stainless once and had old rubber hoses connected to the bottles.

Something came off floated around and you guessed it landed right on top of the hoses and burnt through. The mini flame thrower had me pinned and dancing not able to get to the bottles, fire extinguisher or door.

Someone came along and got to the bottle after doing some dancing as well.

Scorched pants, boots, wall, floor and caught a small trash can on fire. All in about sixty seconds.

Worst part was we used a fire extinguisher on the trash can and had to make a report.

I took responsibility but fire chief said his safety inspectors should have caught all that before it happened so it all disappeared.

I moved the bottle holding brackets and table. And my boss got us brand new hoses.

Thought you might enjoy the visual.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Since the above, I spent a third admission of eight days. I'm physically spent, and honestly, with the upcoming gun owner harassment/federal folderol upcoming, I've decided I'm just too old to be facing off against a horde of psychotic morons. My guns are going to a good cause, For now, I'm just too physically toast to be lugging around and manipulating heavy rifles.

Today I meet my Pulmonologist and Renal specialist. Cardiologist next week. Where we go starts there. Wish me luck.

Greg

 

[powdahound76]

Ah, give it time @Greg Langelius *

Healing up will happen.
If I knew an old coot who was in poor health and wanted to shoot, I would burn vacation days to get them to the range.
we all know how many people helped us when we needed it, or in my case, still do.
Surely your grandkids you help so much will lend a hand?

As to shooting with 02. Go for it.
there is this stuff called science. Its not scary or an issue.
used to go with a buddy and his dad on trans-trach O2 to shoot.
He wanted to shoot his M1 and 1911 like he carried in Europe. So by God, he was gonna.
2 firefighters and 2 nurses on hand. All knew there was no appreciable risk.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I am transferring my guns to younger relatives. Next generations. If I find my intuition faulty (no surprise there...), I can still shoot them or transfer them back. But it's really time to bring the descendants up to speed, and share that lifetime's experience. But the Garand stays within reach.

FWIW, my lungs appear to be healing rather well. I can do non-stressful tasks w/o any O2, and my blood O2 saturation percentage stays in the 88-91 range. Activity currently requires O2 support. But it's improving, and I'm learning. VA provides my O2 at no charge, and I have a fairly busy VA schedule between now and the end of the year. Mostly it's Pulmonology and Cardiac. I know I'm pushing it, but best I can tell is that, if done within reason, I'm not being unreasonable.

Every morning, once the temp clears 72, I walk the length of our block and back, with O2.

I'm told I can't heal CHF, but two prior courses of Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab have suggested otherwise. The heart is a muscle, and can be gradually, gently exercised to improve its output.

Meanwhile, I am banned from the smoking lounge at the VF. That's a 'No' I can take for an answer, and the secondhand smoke in there can get downright smoggy.

There's a lot of physical things I was doing at the VF, like swabbing decks, etc., that they won't let me do, at least for the moment. This a a place where patience and small increments can apply. I pulled myself back to excellent fitness after 2 separate bouts with Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and Non), and have undergone Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab four times since 2004. It's become like a refresher course, and and it is at least partway the reason why I'm still alive. If you're fit, you can take more of a beating (Like Radiotherapy and Chemo) and still come out on top.

...Aaand..., I get to be the Bugler (electronic insert) for this year's Memorial Day ceremonies. I'm diggin' it! What they don't know is that I spent two years in the Woodsiders Drum and Bugle Corps, playing the piston bugle. That's history, but the memories can be fun, too.

Greg

 

[mrdrar]

I hope that your family knows how lucky they are to have you and that they take full advantage of all that you have to teach them.

 

[BoltRunner]

Some of you guys outta get out more and instead of getting into a pissing match on a guys post about who's right, wrong, or has scientific data to back up things maybe just wish the fucking guy good luck and hope he has a speedy recovery. Hope your back on the range behind a rifle soon Greg and good shooting my friend...

 

[RTH1800]

@Greg Langelius *

All the best and wishing a speedy recovery.

I always enjoy your insight here.

RTH

 

[thejeep]

Move it or loose it brother! Keep on keeping on. Do what ever it is you want to do right now. You can shoot up a couple of the hordes just fine from a jazzy if it comes to it. Have you a 100%non rebreather on hand just in case.

 

[goneballistic]

I would shoot.i wouldn't even think about it.

I used to have to decommission oxygen tanks from a medical supply store.

It's not that easy to get oxygen to do anything exciting. It's fairly difficult

 

[acudaowner]

Have seen others using oxygen at the range while shooting they did fine no black hole no mega explosion . Try it and if you feel that unsafe give yourself a couple weeks try it again if by chance you do create a mega explosion rememeber your friends online and video tape the experience pics are a great way to show you care . Best of luck and have fun .

 

[Slab74]

You have never been hit by a riccochet? Had one whizz close? What if it hit a 1500 lb aluminum cylinder of oxygen? Just seems kinda risky and obviously he isnt healed yet, for the most part why risk getting pneumonia again? But everybody is in charge of their own well being in the end.

I have been hit by multiple ricochets, all be it grime pistols, and none hurt me. If you are shooting somewhere where projectiles are hitting in your area fast enough to rupture your tank, find a new place to shoot. I bet that it hitting you would cause may more problem lane than the tank.