Oxygen safety, especially in extreme circumstances such as those often encountered by portable oxygen units, depends upon it. Consider how such tanks can be inadvertently knocked around and tossed about while being delivered.

Though the larger bullet shaped tanks are usually not moved about much, the smaller tanks that people with emphysema, asthma or cystic fibrosis often carry around on carts are the ones that have the highest likelihood of suffering damage that could be catastrophic if the correct inert lubricants weren't used on newly exposed surfaces.

Industrial gas supplies (whether noble or highly reactive gases) are not usually nearly as mobile or prone to shock damage. However, large tanks can go unmaintained for a long time. Along with the use of non-reactive, synthetic lubricants, it is recommended that any gas tank be maintained on a regular schedule, by trained professionals.

It doesn't matter whether you risk blowing yourself up a little or a lot - such inspections can spot areas that are in actual danger from explosion or springing a leak in a line that's been compromised at connection points, fittings or bearings. High-pressure oxygen compatible systems usually have authorized service personal that show up on a fixed schedule to care for and maintain the inside, outside and feeder lines, as per oxygen safety guidelines. Those who care for their own portable gear should be very careful not to attempt to tinker with it but instead take the apparatus in for regular inspections or tune-ups.

The use of fluorochemical non-reactive and inert oils in high pressure and high performance gas delivery systems has revolutionized the applications that can safely utilize high pressure gases. The added safety has likely saved scores of lives since inert lubricants became commonplace in industry and hobby equipment.

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