EMERGENCY TREATMENT
FOR CO POISIONING
CO poisoning or toxicity is a life-threatening emergency that
requires immediate action. The following is a list of things that
should be done if CO poisoning is suspected. Proceed with caution.
The victim may be in an area of CO concentration, which means you
or others could be in danger from exposure to CO:
• Evaluate the situation and ventilate the area if possible.
• Evacuate the area and move the affected person(s) to a fresh
air environment.
• Observe the victim(s).
• Administer oxygen, if available.
• Contact medical help. If the victim is not breathing, perform
rescue breathing or approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) as appropriate until medical help arrives. Prompt action can
mean the difference between life and death.
• Shut off potential sources of CO, if possible. Correct ventilation
problems and/or repair exhaust problems as appropriate.
Investigate the source of CO and take corrective action, such as
evacuating and ventilating the area or shutting off the source
of the CO, while at the same time evacuating and ventilating the
area.
WHERE CO MAY ACCUMULATE
Carbon monoxide can accumulate anywhere in or around your boat.
This includes, but is not limited to:
• Inadequately ventilated canvas enclosures.
• Exhaust gas trapped in enclosed places.
• Blocked exhaust outlets.
• Another vessel’s exhaust. CO from the boat docked next to you
can be just as deadly as that emitted from your own boat.
• Back drafting from your own boat’s exhaust.
• At slow speeds, while idling or stopped. Be aware that CO can
remain in or around your boat at dangerous levels even if your
engine or the other boat’s engine is no longer running.
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