[QueenAngie]

DS#1 and I went out to dinner last night. Most all restaurants have gone non-smoking. This was the 'hole in the donut' that does not have to abide by that city law. They have a smoking and a non-smoking section.

With my asthma, I don't go near cigarettes or smoking.

There is one couple in our non-smoking section and the lady is wearing oxygen...has her portable oxygen tank on use.

As they were leaving the restaurant, I see them go from non-smoking into the smoking section. Standing not 2 feet away from a man lighting up a cigarette to smoke. She was facing the light match & cigarette.

I had always heard that oxygen had to be 12 - 15 feet away from a fire or explosion is very possible. Kaboom!

I was not at all happy and mentioned to the waitress. She too noticed this.

WWYD?

[landj111]

I work in a hospital so I've learned a little bit about oxygen and when it will or won't explode. Rest assured in that type of situation nothing would have exploded. First, that oxygen tank that she had would have to be on full blast and the match would of have to be in the oxygen path. Second, the oxygen, match, and ciggarette would have to be in a really confined area.

[twinzplus3]

This is true. OTOH--why on earth if you can barely breath would you go in the smoking section?????

[oweirdo]

My uncle did this untill he died....its kinda sad

[MissyChrissy]

I knew someone who fell asleep with a lit cigarette & his oxygen on...his hose caught on fire & he nearly burned himself to death. But nothing blew up.

[Alejandros Mommy]

I used to take care of residents that would continuously light up and use their tanks at the same time..Usually the portables only go up to 5L of O2 per min....the only way for the tank to 'explode' would be if she was really close to the person or if she was the one lighting up. It is a scary thing though....there always is that 'what if' factor.

[QueenAngie]

The newer liquid portable oxygen goes from 6 L to 15 L.

We have had several patients on the burn unit that chose to use oxygen & smoke or cook on a gas stove.