Properties.and.characteristics.of.carbon.monoxide; What.makes.carbon.monoxide; How.a.person.is.affected.by.carbon.monoxide; Effects.of.carbon.monoxide - Four winns 318 VISTA Owner's Manual

A. Properties and Characteristics of Carbon
Monoxide
1.. Carbon.Monoxide.is.a.colorless,.odorless.and.
tasteless.gas..It.is.commonly.referred.to.as.CO.
2.. Its.weight.is.about.the.same.as.air.so.it.cannot.be.
expected.to.rise.or.fall.like.some.other.gases,.but.
will.distribute.itself.throughout.the.space.
NOTICE
DO NOT rely on the use of smell or sight of
other gases to detect CO, because it diffuses
in the air much more rapidly than easily
detectable vapors (i.e. visible and aromatic
vapors).
B. What Makes Carbon Monoxide
Any.time.a.material.containing.carbon.burns.such.as.
gasoline,.natural.gas,.oil,.propane,.coal,.or.wood,.CO.
is.produced.
Common.sources.of.carbon.monoxide.are:
1.. Internal.combustion.engines.such.as:
. a.. Propulsion.engines
. b.. Generators
2. Open flame devices such as:
. a.. Cooking.ranges
. b.. Central.heating.plants
. c.. Space.heaters
. d.. Water.heaters
. e.. Fireplaces
. f.. Charcoal.grills
C. How a Person is Affected by Carbon Monoxide
Carbon.monoxide.is.absorbed.by.the.lungs.and.reacts.
with.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.exposure.is.
prolonged,.death.of.the.individual.
D. Effects of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon.monoxide.in.high.concentrations.can.be.fatal.
in.a.matter.of.minutes..Lower.concentrations.must.not.
be.ignored.because.the.effects.of.exposure.to.CO.are.
cumulative.and.can.be.just.as.lethal.
Boating Safety - Section B
Certain.health.related.problems.and.age.will.increase.
the.effects.of.CO..People.who.smoke.or.are.exposed.
to.high.concentrations.of.cigarette.smoke,.consume.
alcohol.or.have.lung.disorders.or.heart.problems,.are.
particularly.susceptible.to.an.increase.in.the.effects.
from.CO..However,.all.occupants'.health.should.be.
considered..Physical.exertion.accelerates.the.rate.at.
which.the.blood.absorbs.CO.
E. Symptoms
One.or.more.of.the.following.symptoms.can.signal..
the.adverse.effect.of.CO.accumulation:
. 1.. Watering.and.itchy.eyes
. 2.. Flushed.appearance
. 3.. Throbbing.temples
. 4.. Inattentiveness
. 5.. Inability.to.think.coherently
. 6.. Loss.of.physical.coordination
. 7.. Ringing.in.the.ears
. 8.. Tightness.across.the.chest
. 9.. Headache
10.. Drowsiness
11.. Incoherence
12.. Slurred.speech
13.. Nausea
14.. Dizziness
15.. Fatigue
16.. Vomiting
17.. Collapse
18.. Convulsions
NOTICE
The order of the above list is generally
the sequence of appearance of symptoms.
However, the order of appearance may
change for different people.
NOTICE
The symptoms of Carbon monoxide poisoning
may easily be mistaken for seasickness.
F. Treatment (Evaluate, Ventilate, Evacuate,
Investigate, Take Corrective Action)
1....Evaluate.the.situation.and.ventilate.the.area..
if.possible.
2.. Evacuate.the.area.and.move.affected.person(s)..
to.a.fresh.air.environment.
3.. Observe.the.victim(s)...
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