Silverton 33C, Руководство пользователя

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SAFETY-11
CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY
CARBON MONOXIDE CAN KILL!
This section is intended to provide educational infor-
mation about carbon monoxide relative to boats and
boating. Carbon Monoxide accumulation is affected
by boat geometry, hatch, window and door openings,
ventilation openings, proximity to other structures and
boats, wind direction, boat speed, boat maintenance
and a multitude of other variables. This section dis-
cusses many of these and enables the boat owner
to better understand some of the more predictable
effects. However, this information is limited in that it
cannot cover all conceivable variables. Therefore, the
boat owner is cautioned not to exclusively rely on it to
prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide.
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas formed
by the combination of carbon and oxygen. Commonly
referred to as CO, its chemical formula, “C” for carbon
and “O” for oxygen. CO is a colorless, odorless, and
tasteless gas that, by itself, can not be detected by
human senses. CO diffuses in the air much more
rapidly than any other gases that are detectable by
the human senses. The weight of CO is about the
same as air so it does not rise or fall like other gases
but will distribute itself throughout the boat. CO is
produced any time a material containing carbon is
burned. In boating these materials include, but are
not limited to, gasoline, diesel fuel and propane. All
carbon based fuels produce varying amounts of CO,
depending on their carbon content. Gasoline is high
in carbon and therefore produces high levels of CO.
Diesel fuel is low in carbon and therefore produces
lower levels of CO. However, the exhaust of all
engines and generators as well as any open
fl ame
device produce CO and the same precautions should
be taken regardless of the type of fuel.
HOW IS A PERSON 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. Car-
bon 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 alco-
hol, 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 acceler-
ates 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 boat-
ing 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.
One or more of the following symptoms can signal
the adverse effects of carbon monoxide accumula-
tion. The order of this list is generally the sequence
of symptoms. However, the number of symptoms
and the order of appearance may change for differ-
ent 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
WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE IS OVER-
COME WITH CARBON MONOXIDE
When someone falls victim to carbon monoxide poi-
soning, fast and responsive action is crucial. Know
the symptoms. The earlier effects of CO are detected
the better the chance for recovery. The following list
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