INTRODUCTION
Overview of the Alcohawk
®
PRO
The Alcohawk
®
PRO is a breath alcohol tester designed to test for the
presence of alcohol in the blood. This device provides a digital reading
of an individual’s approximate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in
seconds. The Alcohawk
®
PRO is powered by a 9 volt battery that
generally lasts between 200-300 tests when using an alkaline battery.
To fully utilize this device to its potential, we recommend reading this
entire manual. Enjoy your Alcohawk
®
and please do not drink and drive!
Alcohol Testing Theory
Ethyl alcohol is detectable in the breath because it is absorbed from
the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines into the bloodstream. When
blood flows through the lungs, some of the alcohol passes across the
membranes of tiny lung air sacs (alveoli) into the air. The concentration
of the alcohol in the alveolar air is proportional to the alcohol in the
blood. As the alcohol in the alveolar air is exhaled, it can be screened
by a breath alcohol testing device. Rather than drawing a subject’s
blood to test for alcohol level, a subject’s breath can be tested using a
breath alcohol testing device. Because breath alcohol concentration
is proportional to blood alcohol concentration (BAC), BAC can be
calculated by measuring alcohol content on the breath. The ratio
of breath alcohol to blood alcohol is 2,100:1. This means that 2100
milliliters of alveolar air will contain the same amount of alcohol as
1 millimeter of blood. This concept is well established by Henry’s
Law, which states that the concentration of a volatile substance in
the air above a fluid is proportional to the concentration of the volatile
substance in the fluid.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1
Overview of the Alcohawk
®
PRO
1
Alcohol Testing Theory
1
Description of Testing System
2
Dose-Specific Effects of Alcohol Intoxication
2
Uses of Breath Alcohol Screening Devices
4
PREPARATION
4
Installing the Battery
4
Inserting a Mouthpiece
5
COMPONENTS DIAGRAM
5
OPERATION
6
Operating Instructions
6
Error Messages
8
Understanding the Results
8
Precautions
9
SPECIFICATIONS
10
ACCESSORIES
10
VERIFICATION AND CALIBRATION
11
Overview
11
Procedure
11
WARRANTY
11
DISCLAIMER
14
