July 29, 2011

Those who have knowledge don't predict. Those who predict don't have knowledge.” Lao Tzu (BC)

CAMPING AND CARBON MONOXIDE
There was a time when camping meant pitching a tent, building a campfire for cooking, staying warm and socializing; sometimes a sleeping bag and the stars were all that were required. That image has changed to full parking lots that also include small homes on wheels that contain combustion conveniences of electricity, cooking, heating, refrigeration and air conditioning. A COSA note to all campers from tenters and boaters to motor-homers and lodgers everywhere: 
When poisonous carbon monoxide is produced in dangerous concentrations in fire of any kind, including during combustion in liquid fueled electric generators while camping in tents, living & traveling in motor homes and caravans, it has been known to make some people sick or has killed them. Even little stoves & lamps used inside tents have contributed to injury & death.

The common, inexpensive carbon monoxide alarms available on the market and listed as U.L. 2034 (or another country’s equivalent) that are battery operated have been tested to alarm at high levels of CO, beginning at 70 PPM. These may not protect you from low level atmospheres that could be a problem if you have some pre-existing medical condition and were chronically in lower levels, but you have some standard of protection to levels that will kill you as it did to the man named in the first story of today’s posting.

Please read the manufacturer instructions regarding operating temperatures of the U.L. 2034 Listed & tested alarms. Camping temperatures & humidity may interfere with the accuracy of the alarm’s sensing capabilities. You might be better off with a few of these on a camping or lodging trip than perhaps other things allowed for. 

Camper dies from carbon monoxide poisoning due to generator outside
Small world News Service
A camper died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator left running next to his tent, an inquest heard. Tragic Richard Philips, 38, left the petrol motor running to keep warm during the night but was overcome by fumes as he slept. ...

Elderly woman saved from carbon monoxide poisoning
NBC2 News
An 86-year-old woman was saved by two Charlotte County Sheriff's deputies on Thursday night after she began suffering from symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Elaine Sampson of 213 Albatross Road called authorities after she says she smelled fumes, ...

Firefighters Get New Protection from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
WBAY
Slip a clip on your finger, and within seconds it reads the oxygen level in your blood and also how much carbon monoxide is in your blood. We tested at a safe three parts per million. For firefighters responding to a call, though, that number would ...

Pulse CO-oxymeter helps determine oxygen therapy in rescue!
Smoke inhalation victim OK after MFD test for CO2 poisoning
Gulf Breeze News Steve Clark/Special to GBN
A Panama City man visiting relatives in Gulf Breeze was airlifted to a Mobile, Ala., hospital Sunday after inhaling dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in a house fire. Alan Zuro, 53, was visiting his sister Carol Monroe's ...

Call for new law after gas death
Inside Housing
A coroner has called on the government to change health and safety legislation after a social housing tenant died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a newly built block of flats. Maria Ighodalo, a tenant of 67000-home London & Quadrant, died following a ...