What is the required pressure threshold at which oxygen cylinders should be replaced?

Replacing oxygen cylinders at a specific pressure threshold is crucial for ensuring that paramedics have an adequate supply of oxygen during emergencies. The recommended practice is to replace oxygen cylinders when they reach 200 psi.

At this pressure, the cylinder still holds a sufficient amount of oxygen to be effective for medical use, but it is officially considered low enough to warrant replacement to ensure that a full supply is always on hand for patient care. This threshold takes into account the need to avoid running out of oxygen in critical situations and reflects safety best practices established in emergency medical protocols.

Maintaining cylinders above this pressure is essential because once the pressure drops below this threshold, the safety margin for patient care becomes riskier, especially in high-demand situations. The choice of 200 psi has been determined based on balancing efficiency and safety in oxygen administration in pre-hospital care settings.