The O2 fail-safe mechanism ensures:

The O2 fail-safe mechanism plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety during procedures that involve nitrous oxide. Its primary function is to prevent the delivery of nitrous oxide if there is a failure in the oxygen supply. This safety feature is essential because it safeguards against the dangerous situation where a patient could be exposed to nitrous oxide without any oxygen, which could lead to hypoxia or inadequate oxygenation.

By essentially linking the flow of nitrous oxide to the presence of oxygen, the O2 fail-safe mechanism guarantees that nitrous can only be administered when there is an adequate and functioning supply of oxygen. This design principle is vital in anesthetic practice to maintain patient safety during sedation or anesthesia where nitrous oxide is utilized.