Hunter Marine HUNTER 25, Owner'S Manual, Page: 16 / 128

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How A Person Is Affected By Carbon Monoxide
When breathed, carbon monoxide is absorbed by the lungs and reacts with the blood
hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the
blood. The result is a lack of oxygen for the tissues with the subsequent tissue death and, if
prolonged, death of the individual. Carbon monoxide in high concentrations can be fatal in a
matter of minutes. Even lower concentrations must not be ignored because the effects of
exposure to CO are cumulative and can be just as lethal. Certain health related problems
and age increase the effects of CO. People, who smoke or are exposed to high
concentrations of cigarette smoke, consume alcohol or have lung or heart disorders are
particularly susceptible to an increase in the effects from CO. However, the health of all of
the boat’s occupants should be considered. Physical exertion accelerates the rate at which
the blood absorbs CO. The early effects of CO poisoning are easy to overlook because they
are similar to the effects of other boating related stresses such as eye strain, fatigue, sun
exposure, seasickness, or alcohol consumption. But as the concentration of CO in the air
increases, it has increasingly adverse effects on your health.
Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
One or more of the following symptoms can signal the adverse effects of carbon monoxide
accumulation. The order of this list is generally the sequence of symptoms. However, the number of
symptoms and the order of appearance may change for different people:
Watering And Itching Eyes
Flushed Appearance
Throbbing Temples
Inattentiveness
Inability To Think Coherently
Ringing In The Ears
Tightness Across The Chest
Headache
Drowsiness
Incoherence
Nausea
Dizziness
Fatigue
Vomiting
Collapse
Convulsions