THE OXYGEN EDGE™ & OXY-CHUM™

Bait pumps and livewell pumps used in oxygenated livewells and bait tanks can be dangerous. Bait pumps that are electrically operated, modified to entrain air into the inlet side of the pump, should never be used under any conditions to entrain pure oxygen. Any electrical device used in oxygen enriched environments must be certified specifically for use within oxygen enriched environments. The risk of ignition and fire is greatly enhanced when electricity is used improperly within oxygen enriched environments. Using electricity in an oxygen-enriched livewell or bait tank is extremely dangerous and a serious fire hazard.

IGNITION PROTECTED for ELECTRICAL DEVICES, ISO 8846 Certification DOES NOT CERTIFY OR IMPLY SAFE USE WHEN THE ELECTRICAL DEVICE IS USED WITHIN OXYGEN ENRICHED ENVIRONMENTS. Air environments are not oxygen-enriched environments.

Keeping all electricity out of oxygenated livewells is a major rule of the 'bait tank oxygen' road, unless the electrical equipment is specifically designed, engineered, manufactured, officially tested and certified for operation within OXYGEN ENRICHED ENVIRONMENTS. PERIOD.

We asked company officials that manufacturer oxygen, the gas, and bait tank pumps commonly used in livewells and bait tanks about using their livewell and bait pumps (electrical devices) in conjunction with pure oxygen in oxygen enriched environments.

Air Products and Chemical Corporation

Air Products and Chemical Corporation, one of the largest manufacturers of oxygen in America:

Jack Mitroka, Manager, Electrical Engineering Division, (610) 481-5505

MITROKJM@apci.com

Mitroka comments: I have looked this over and asked a few others here to comment. Based on what we see, my recommendations would be to refer to the NFPA Recommendations On Oxygen enriched areas. Without the equipment being specifically rated for the O2 duty, I think it would be difficult to market this type of product. The potential is there for a problem. You have oxygen, ignition source, and fuel. Unless the system is specifically designed (and maybe even tested) to mitigate that risk, I would be concerned that there would be liability if something did happen.

Rule, Inc.

Rule Inc., a major manufacturer of livewell pumps, bait tank pumps and bilge pumps:

Steve Tilvers, National Product Manager (978) 281-0440

Regarding safety and use of Rule submersible pumps used in oxygen enriched environments, bait tanks and livewells.

Tilvers comments: Rule, Inc. assumes absolutely no risk or liability when their submersible pumps are modified to entrain pure oxygen or operated in oxygen-enriched livewell or bait tank environments.

Rule pumps are not designed or manufactured for use in oxygen-enriched environments and Rule pumps have never been tested or certified for use within oxygen-enriched environments.

Tilvers strongly advises NOT to use Rule submersible pumps in oxygen enriched environments such as livewells and bait tanks because of the risk of ignition and fire.

Tilvers confirms that Rule submersible pumps are "Ignition Protected for Electrical Devices" and ISO 8846 certified. ISO 8846 certification means, the pump has been tested and certified for use with relative safety within AIR ENVIRONMENTS ONLY that contain fuel and or fuel vapors, like a boat's bilge.

Here, a Rule livewell pump (ISO 8846 certification) has been modified to entrain pure oxygen supplied by what appears to be a medical (green shoulder with silver body) emergency oxygen tank. This is an example of what Tilvers at Rule, Inc. says DO NOT USE because of the danger of ignition and fire. http://www.floridasaltwater.com/catalog/keepalive/oxygen.htm

Attwood Pumps

Lew Haeck, President and CEO of Attwood Pumps, (616) 897-2290

Regarding the use and safety of Attwood submersible bilge or bait pumps used in oxygen enriched bait tanks and livewell environments.

Haeck advises NOT to use any Attwood pumps in oxygen enriched environments like livewells and bait tanks. Attwood assumes no risk or liability when their pumps are modified and misused. Attwood submersible pumps are also "Ignition Protected for Electrical Devices", ISO 8846 and certified for use in AIR/FUEL FUMES ENVIRONMENTS ONLY, NOT OXYGEN ENRICHED ENVIRONMENTS.

Johnson Pumps of America, Inc.

Tony Wuethrich, Sales Manager Industrial and Commercial Pump Division, (847) 671-7867 tonyw@johnsonpumpchi.com

Wuethrich comments: We cannot recommend using our product within oxygen enriched livewells. Our product is not certified to be used in oxygen enriched environments nor is it designed to be used within these environments. With this recommendation Johnson Pump of America will not assume any product liability if the product is used outside of its intended design purpose of pumping pure water.

Dannco Pumps

"Pure Oxygen Flowing  through any Electro-Mechanical Device is Considered Quite Dangerous."  (800) 599-7505  sales@danncollc.com

Bottom line: Using any electrical device that's not specifically designed, engineered, manufactured and certified for use in an oxygen enriched bait tank or livewell environment has inherent risk of ignition and fire. According to manufacturer's responses to our inquiry: Rule, Inc., Attwood Pumps, Johnson Pumps and Air Products and Chemical Corporation all say their products may not be safe when modified, misused and operated in oxygen enriched bait tanks and livewell environments.

A phone call to a manufacturer representative and a direct question regarding these safety issues cuts through myths, misinformation, disinformation and ignorance. We have listed manufacturers and executives' phone numbers for your convenience. Be safe, be informed and any time you're unsure, for your safety, always ask the experts before using any electrical device (including electric lights and electric wires) in oxygen-enriched livewells and bait tanks.

Other prohibitive examples of using electrical devices in oxygen enriched environments: The use of electric razors, portable radios, cell phones, nurse call bells, etc. are all PROHIBITED inside oxygen tents (oxygen enriched environments) in hospitals. Remember the electrical malfunction on an Apollo mission a few years back. An electrical short in the oxygen enriched cabin caused the fatal oxygen fire that killed three astronauts. Most 'off the shelf' electrical devices are not made to be used in oxygen enriched environments.

Visit "Homemade Systems" for more information about hazards, problems and legal risks associated with systems made with medical equipment products.

Be alert, be educated, be responsible and be safe on the water. Oxygen is not air.

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