Carrying canned oxygen in a cave
I asked AI if carrying a Boost oxygen canister in a horizontal cave with possible bad air would be a way to … boost … one’s chances of being able to exit if symptoms were noticed. After some wrangling to get it on target, AI said the following. Wondering if cavers agree.
Official figures from Boost Oxygen:
- 3 L (pocket size): ≈ 60 one-second inhalations (or ~60 seconds of continuous flow).
- 5 L (medium): up to ≈ 100 one-second inhalations.
- 10 L version: ~200 inhalations
A few puffs of ~95% O₂ can raise blood oxygen saturation briefly and may ease feelings of breathlessness, fatigue, or light-headedness enough to help you move more effectively toward the exit.
However, the total volume is tiny compared with normal human oxygen use (several liters per minute even at rest). Experts note these cans provide only quick bursts—not continuous support—and are unlikely to make a large physiological difference in genuine oxygen deficiency.
Most cave “bad air” involves elevated CO₂ (often the bigger problem) plus some O₂ drop. Supplemental O₂ does nothing for CO₂ buildup (which drives hyperventilation, headache, reduced judgment, etc.). You still need to leave the bad-air zone.
(Last line = AI stating the obvious)