Admiralty Lawyer & Attorney

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – What to Look For

Carbon monoxide (CO) – an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas. It is undetectable by human senses, it is produced by ordinary sources, and it is deadly. Because CO gas can be generated in many ways on ships and boats, sailors and sea workers ought to be aware of the risks and symptoms of CO poisoning, to ensure the safety of themselves and their coworkers.

How Carbon Monoxide Kills

Carbon monoxide, as a gas, is inhaled through the lungs. When it enters the bloodstream, CO blocks out the oxygen that the body needs to function and survive. Extended exposure to CO gas, or sudden exposure to a large, concentrated amount, can lead very quickly to death through carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning or Seasickness?

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are deceptively similar to seasickness or drunkenness. They include dizziness, headaches, weakness, and nausea. This similarity is one reason why boaters and sailors are so susceptible to CO poisoning. In many cases, a case of CO poisoning is passed off as nothing more than the effects of one too many drinks. No one realizes the truth until it is too late.

For this reason, the US Coast Guard advises all sailors, boaters, and sea workers to treat any seasick people as if they were suffering from CO poisoning. It is better to take precautions and react to a false alarm than it is to regret a lack of action later on.

If you work at sea, be aware of the dangers around you – both the obvious ones and the ones which kill silently. If you or a loved one has suffered because of another party’s negligence, call an admiralty lawyer from Williams Kherkher at 800-220-9341 for a free initial consultation.