Reprise - Oxygen concerns

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.). wrote:

Do Drager still manufacture their diluter demand system for aircraft?

I used one of these sets in an ASW20 some 20 years ago. It was a very
good set, I understand the design was originally military for the German
air force in the 1930s. It was proper aviation equipment for use in
unpressurised and unheated aircraft.

It

Hi Bill

I am not sure whether you can purchase a new Diluter system from Drager, but hey
do still manufacture the parts.

Recently had the experience where the testing company mashed the valve on my
cylinder. This caused me a moment's panic as the unit was installed as original
equipment in the glider in 1970.

I was amazed that Drager were able to supply the correct part in less than a
week - in South Africa. They are based in Kiel in Germany, although they are
concentrating on Medical gasses. I believe and have sold the Aviation systems
(selected for the A380 I believe) to a UK concern - BAE Cobham PLC.

If anyone is interested it is a bit heavy, and a bit bulky (rough conditions
give me a Drager shaped bruise on my right arm). The mask is not particularly
comfortable, but it does ensure you are getting the oxygen. Overall it works
very well. The telltale flasher is a potential life saver. The said test was
because one of the bits developed a leak and I suddenly got no "click-flash"
when I breathed. OK , I was only at 16,500" - but I wonder what your useful
consciousness is even at this relatively low altitude. How long do you have to
work out you are not getting oxygen.