Owner`s manual

42
WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE IS
OVERCOME WITH CARBON MON-
OXIDE
When someone falls victim to carbon
monoxide poisoning, fast and responsive
action is crucial. Know the symptoms. The
earlier effects of CO are detected the
better the chance for recovery. The follow-
ing list shows the sequence of events that
must be done in an effort to revive a CO
victim:
Evacuate, Ventilate, Investigate, Take
Corrective Action
Move the person to fresh air
Administer oxygen if available
Contact medical help
If the victim is not breathing, perform
artificial respiration per approved CPR
procedures until medical help arrives and
takes over. Prompt action can make the
difference between life and death.
Ventilate area
Investigate the source of CO and take
corrective actions.
HOW DOES CARBON MONOXIDE
ENTER YOUR BOAT?
Any device that burns fuel creates carbon
monoxide. For example, a propane
cooktop or a space heater are both poten-
tial sources for CO. But the most serious
danger comes from the gasoline engines
and generators aboard your own and
neighboring boats. There are four basic
ways that CO from a running engine or
generator can enter your boat:
The “station wagon effect” results from the
aerodynamics of deck cabins and flying
bridges. With the boat under way, the air
flow over the top forms a low pressure
area behind the cabin or transom which
can suck exhaust gasses into the cockpit
and the cabin. Inefficient trim angles also
can cause the station wagon effect.
Obstructions are principally a problem
when boats are rafted together or tied to a
dock or seawall. Against an obstruction,
exhaust gasses which normally dissipate
may instead be directed back to your boat.
Beware of open windows, hatches, doors
and the location of the engine intake.
Exhaust contains particularly high concen-
trations of CO when an engine is cold; so
to protect yourself and your neighbors,
minimize the time spent getting underway.
Pay particular attention to potential ob-
structions when running a generator for
long periods.
Infiltration of CO from a neighbor’s ex-
haust can be a problem aboard any boat
at any time. Infiltration can happen any
time your neighbors are running a genera-
tor or engine, even when they are many
slips away.
Leaks in your own exhaust system from
the engines or generator can allow harm-
ful levels of CO to accumulate at a surpris-
ing rate. Good maintenance practices are
critical to avoid this.
There are many variables that combine to
affect the accumulation of carbon monox-
ide. Some of these variables are; the
presence of weather enclosures and
covers, boat layout and configuration,
location of ports, hatches, windows, doors,