How to Build an Emergency Eye Wash Attachment

How to Build an Emergency Eye Wash  Attachment

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There are a million and one reasons why you may need to flush and rinse out eyes after coming into contact with a hazardous object or substance.  However, using your hands to cup water and bring it to the eyes does not always produce enough force to thoroughly clean them.  Using a bottle to spray water into the eyes is also not the best solution because this would require that the victim place their head back instead of leaning forward so the material can be washed away.  Let’s take a look at a simple way to make an effective attachment that can be used on almost any faucet in an emergency.

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Required Material

3 segments of ½” diameter PVC pipe that are around 3” long each

1 T connector

1 elbow joint

2 rounded end caps

¼” drill bit

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Getting Started

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The first step is to decide on the size of the eyewash accessory.  It’s recommended that each segment be around 2-3” long in order to make the unit easier to hold.  However, it’s also important that you choose the length so that the holes that you make later will align with the eyes.  Keep in mind that you can improvise this project to fit different sizes as well.  Once you’ve decided on the size of the unit, cut the PVC pipe into three corresponding segments. 

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Assembling the Unit

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The next step is to attach each segment to the T connector.  Keep in mind that you need one segment for the left and right side of the T respectively.  This will create a space between the ends of the pipes for water to pass through before exiting the holes that you will drill in the following steps.  However, you can use a single piece of PVC for the T if you want to bore a hole in the center that aligns with the stem assembly so that water can pass through. 

Next, attach the end caps to the left and right ends of the segments that extend from the T.  The end caps will prevent water from squirting out from the sides instead of through the holes.  Attach the third segment to the stem of the T connector before attaching the elbow joint to the end.  Make sure that the opening of the elbow joint is facing up so that it can be pressed against the faucet when ready for use.  Again, use epoxy or sealant to secure the fittings together if the connections are not snug and secure.  Otherwise, water will leak, and this can reduce the amount of pressure that contributes to the strength of the washing jets later.

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The next step is to drill holes through the top portion of each segment on either side of the T.  You can either drill the holes through the end caps and PVC segments or through the segments at a point on the inside of the caps.  However, it’s important to avoid drilling the holes through the bottom of the PVC sections. 

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You also want to make sure that the holes are aligned properly so that the water jets will be oriented to strike the eyes once the unit is pressed against the faucet.  You can make minor adjustments by turning the segments as necessary.

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Aligning and Using the Unit

All you need to do now is place the elbow joint against the faucet, and hold it in place as you turn on the water.  Apply pressure to make the seal as tight as possible in order to minimize leaking and maximize the amount of water that is ejected through the jets.  Once you have everything aligned properly, you can either use epoxy or sealant to secure the jet segments in position or keep them loose so you can adjust them as needed.

While this project may be far from perfect, it does work, and it may be just what you need in an emergency.  It only takes a few minutes to put together, and there’s plenty of room to improvise and improve on this basic design.  Try it for yourself and see how a few pieces of PVC pipe can be fashioned into an effective eye washing station that can help to minimize damage caused by foreign objects or chemicals.

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