Fast Facts On Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is often referred to as the silent killer, mainly because it is both an odourless and colourless gas. Humans are prone to the effects of the gas as it can disrupt the delivery of oxygen to the body. Unfortunately it is the by-product of the domestic fuels that we burn, which will fill up an enclosed space if there is not sufficient ventilation. First Aid treatment is required in order to save someone who has been poisoned.
You really need to delve into the science behind CO to understand why it is so dangerous. The burning of fuel within an enclosed space causes Carbon Dioxide to be released, which slowly replaces the oxygen content within that space. The fuel cannot burn efficiently when the oxygen supply is diminished, and as a result of this it will start to release CO. This is bad news for any human inhabitants of that space as the gas has no value for the body, and will often cause a great level of harm.
Humans simply can't cope with excessive levels of CO within their bodies. The main issue is that the CO binds very tightly to the haemoglobin part of the red blood cell. Haemoglobin is an essential molecule that oxygen binds to so that it can be carried around the body, therefore any interference in this process can have deadly consequences. The dangers of this toxic gas can be put into perspective by the fact that it binds to haemoglobin roughly 200 times more efficiently than that of oxygen. This can rapidly reduce the oxygen carrying capacity, and may lead to brain and heart damage.
A traditional fire lets off a flame of spoke that is clearly visible to anyone who is within its perimeter. Unfortunately the main danger of CO is that is an odourless and colourless gas, which can fill up a room without its inhabitants even realising. Mild exposure will result in symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness and a sore throat. This should be taken seriously as it could be a sign that there is a leak somewhere in the home / workplace that will require fixing.
It can cause lethargy and drowsiness in more extreme cases. People often drift off to sleep in an enclosed space, and then become unconscious. At this stage it is often too late for the person, and they sadly die from the effects of the gas. Unfortunately 50 people each year die from accidental CO poisoning within their own homes.
It is essential to apply prompt first aid treatment if you ever find someone who has fallen to the effects of CO. It can be notoriously hard to spot the symptoms if the person is unconscious. Sometimes it will just take an instinctive reaction to remove the person out of the room and into freshly oxygenated air. It is worth noting that the gas can often cause the skin to become a cherry red colour. You can save a life just by spotting the symptoms early and then by summoning the emergency services.
About the Author
Bill Casserley is an experienced first aid trainer, who regularly volunteers at major events. Could you spot the signs of CO? If not then visit the manual handling courses blog @ http://www.train-aid.co.uk for free life saving tips.
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