What is carbon
monoxide?
Carbon monoxide, or CO is a poisonous gas that is produced during combustion
and burning gasoline and diesel fuel. Carbon monoxide is odorless and
colorless so it is difficult to tell if you are being exposed.
Do watercraft emit carbon monoxide?
Yes. Boats and other watercraft emit a great deal of carbon monoxide
in the exhaust unless they have emission control equipment - most watercraft do
not have emission controls.
Is it dangerous?
Yes - it's deadly. Carbon monoxide interferes with your body's ability to
use oxygen. Exposure to low levels can cause health symptoms like headache,
dizziness and loss of concentration. Exposure to carbon monoxide can also
make you lose consciousness. Losing consciousness around water can be
deadly due tot he risk of drowning.
Is carbon monoxide a
problem around watercraft?
Yes. Anybody who spends any time at all near the rear end of a boat can be
exposed to too much carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning is commonly
found in people who have spent time near the back of moving and idling
boats. There have been people who have drowned because of carbon monoxide
poisoning from boat exhaust.
Common symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning:
The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are:
headache
dizziness
weakness
nausea
vomiting
chest pain
confusion
High levels of carbon
monoxide ingestion can cause:
loss of consciousness
death
Unless suspected, carbon monoxide
poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other
illnesses.
How can I avoid
carbon monoxide poisoning while boating?
Taking a few simple
precautions will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
stay away from boat exhaust
keep your boat motor off at
all times while you are docked
never allow your boat motor to
idle in order to run appliances like radios
avoid crowded areas where lots
of boats congregate if some of the boats are idling
Boat exhaust can flow
back into the rear of the boat. Carbon monoxide tends to build up above the
water near - the amount of carbon monoxide can reach life-threatening
concentrations on and near swim decks.
What
do I do if I think someone has CO poisoning:
If you think someone on your watercraft has carbon monoxide poisoning, move
him or her to fresh air quickly and contact your nearest emergency services.
Carbon
Monoxide Brochure
If you are not able to open
documents on this site,
you can obtain a FREE .pdf reader by clicking
on the icon below**
