Which statement is true regarding the maintenance of an emergency oxygen system?

Deploying emergency oxygen safely requires attention to potential hazards, particularly fire. Oxygen supports combustion; thus, any flames must be extinguished before deploying an emergency oxygen system to prevent fueling a fire or causing an explosion. This demonstrates an essential principle of safety in underwater environments where the presence of flammable materials could be significant.

The importance of this action is underscored by the understanding that oxygen itself doesn’t ignite but serves to amplify any existing flames. Therefore, ensuring that flames are out protects both the rescuer and the individual requiring oxygen from harmful outcomes.

Other practices related to emergency oxygen systems, such as lubrication or the manner in which the valve is opened, can compromise the integrity of the system or affect performance. However, these points are secondary to the critical safety measure of addressing potential ignition sources before using oxygen.