EMT Lesson Plans

2.02 INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE – OXYGEN ASSEMBLY / DISASSEMBLY

Objectives: Demonstrate how to place an oxygen cylinder into service. (pp 349–350, Skill Drill 9-7)

Demonstrate the use of a partial rebreathing mask in providing supplemental oxygen therapy to patients. (p 352)

Setup: - Oxygen system: Oxygen tank, regulator, perhaps one or two additional O rings - Try to have several systems so that 5 students aren’t idle while one works. 1 system / 2 students is ideal.

Instructions to be read to students: “I am going to demonstrate assembling and disassembling the oxygen system. We will all practice this multiple times until you are all comfortable with it and can do it without hesitation.” Precautions: Do not let the station deteriorate into chatter. Continue rotating them through assemblies until time is up. If students get bored, tell them to do it without looking (blindfolded). IF YOU DO THIS make sure it is done on the ground so that if something is dropped no injury will occur.

Please note the following:

- Cracking the tank to expel particles before you put the regulator on is supported by the current EMT manual and I suspect by various manufacturers of oxygen equipment. This is fine to teach in station. It is also on our skills sheet. - Turning the gauge away from you just in case it explodes when you turn the gas on isn’t really a thing. It’s not in the current EMT manual we use, so please don’t perpetuate this myth. - This skill is very psychomotor, and students might be a little spooked by the extensive oxygen safety discussion. It will take them more than one rotation through this skill to feel comfortable with assembling or disassembling an oxygen tank. Have each student do the skill more than once. Three or more attempts at putting on / taking off the oxygen regulator is a good goal for this station.