Emergency Uses for Dry Ice and Industrial Gases in Healthcare and Field Services

Last month, a transformer blew outside the Regional Medical Center at 2 AM. The backup generators kicked in, but three hours later, one overheated and shut down. By morning, the pharmacy’s main refrigeration unit was reading 45°F instead of the required 36°F.

That’s $80,000 worth of medications getting ready to spoil.

Most hospitals would panic. This one didn’t, because they keep dry ice around for exactly these situations. Their facilities manager grabbed some insulated containers, loaded them with dry ice, and transferred the most critical meds. Problem solved, at least temporarily.

The Unsung Hero of Emergency Medicine

Dry ice might seem like an odd thing to stockpile, but it’s saved countless facilities from disaster. Unlike regular ice, it stays at -109°F without any power source whatsoever. It doesn’t melt into a puddle that ruins everything nearby. And a little goes a long way.

Emergency medical teams figured this out years ago. Military medics use it to keep blood products viable in combat zones. Disaster response crews pack it with vaccines when they’re setting up field clinics after hurricanes. Even rural hospitals rely on dry ice when their aging refrigeration systems break down and repair crews can’t get there for days.

The logistics are surprisingly simple. You don’t need special equipment or training, just insulated containers and basic safety precautions. Handle it with tongs, don’t seal it in airtight spaces, and it does exactly what you need it to do.

When Standard Systems Fail

Medical oxygen presents a different challenge during emergencies. Hospital pipeline systems work great until they don’t. When Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana, several facilities lost their central oxygen supplies and had to switch entirely to portable cylinders.

That’s where industrial gas suppliers become literal lifesavers. Field service teams need reliable partners who can deliver emergency oxygen supplies at 3 AM during a storm. The same goes for carbon dioxide used in surgical procedures, nitrogen for preserving tissue samples, and specialized gas mixtures for ventilators.

Helium-oxygen blends, for example, are used in respiratory therapy to ease the work of breathing for patients in distress. Having these gases available during emergencies ensures clinicians can stabilize patients faster. Even outside hospitals, field clinics and mobile units rely on portable gas supplies to continue care when infrastructure is damaged or inaccessible.

Getting the Right Support

Smart healthcare facilities build relationships with gas suppliers before emergencies hit. They want vendors who understand that “we’ll get there Monday” isn’t acceptable when patients’ lives are at stake. At nexAir, our expert KnowHow™ about emergency protocols, backup supply strategies, and rapid deployment capabilities helps you stay prepared.

We operate a responsive delivery fleet and work with healthcare clients on preparedness plans that include prioritized delivery schedules. Our resupply programs are designed to help EMS teams maintain access to essential medical gases, even during large-scale emergencies. With dependable supply and a focus on safety, we give your facility the confidence to Forge Forward no matter what challenges arise.

Visit nexair.com or call your local branch to start planning today.