The immediate availability of Oxygen Administration in a respiratory crisis cannot be over-emphasized. In fact, speed in which oxygen is administered may significantly improve the victim's chance of survival. Serious and life-threatening emergencies often cause oxygen to be depleted in the body. The prompt application of emergency oxygen can often significantly reduce the possibility of tissue and brain damage to the patient during serious injury or a medical emergency. Supplemental oxygen can be a critical step in treating severe or life-threatening conditions.

Supplemental or "extra" oxygen is one of the most widely used therapies for people admitted to the hospital. It is also frequenly used for patients with chronic lung disease who live at home. In all cases oxygen is administered by inhalation. The importance of oxygen administration for many patients with heart and lung diseases is now universally recognized.