Carbon monoxide poisoning is a fairly frequent occurrence in divers due to the increased partial pressures that we encounter from the increases in pressure of depth. Small amounts of carbon monoxide that are harmless on the surface become dangerously elevated due to the increased partial pressure of the gas. Situations occur before dives that can elevate the CO levels without us knowing it (cigarette smoking, diesel fumes, alcohol stoves and the inclusion of incompletely burned hydrocarbons in the air compressor).
Divers who come up after their first dive complaining of headache and nausea should be strongly suspected of having carcon monoxide poisoning. There is a solution to this problem - the 'CO-Cop®' , a small carbon monoxide tester that attaches to your gear and checks your tank for CO.
This product just might be worth considering as a safety tool - CO-Cop® Tester.This is an 'Instant Read' Carbon Monoxide tester for scuba. You fit it on a tank, then put in a capsule called 'Detector capsule', release a small amount of air and watch the capsule. The CO-Cop is expensive but does not have to be replaced. The capsule is good for 15-20 tests - then you need a new capsule. Full directions are provided.
The product line is located at this site: http://www.lawrence-factor.com/cocop.htm
The company that sells this is:
Lawrence Factor Inc.,
2748 West 79th St.,
Hialeah,
FL 33016
USA
tel 001-800-338-5493
More about carbon monoxide and diving at these sites:-
Our web page on Diving Medicine Online - http://www.scuba-doc.com/carbonmon.html
Dr. Fred Bove's site at - http://www.scubamed.com/divess.htm#anchor1722656
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: HBO Medline Reports
Hyperbaric oxygen for carbon monoxide poisoning (Cochrane Review)
Hyperbaric oxygen for carbon monoxide poisoning eMJA, MJA 1999; 170: 197-199
Richard Moon et al
Ernie Campbell, - MD 'scubadoc' - Diving Medicine Online