Carbon monoxide poisoning among recreational boaters
S. M. Silvers and N. B. Hampson
Hyperbaric Department, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Wash, USA.
OBJECTIVE--To describe the case characteristics of a series of patients
poisoned with carbon monoxide (CO) while boating for recreation.
DESIGN--Cases of patients referred for treatment of CO poisoning with
hyperbaric oxygen were reviewed. Those cases that occurred during
recreational boating were selected for analysis. SETTING--A private, urban,
tertiary care center studied from July 1984 to June 1994.
PATIENTS--Thirty-nine patients ranging in age from 6 months to 69 years who
were poisoned in 27 separate incidents. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES--Characteristics of the poisoning incidents were assessed at
initial patient presentation, immediately following treatment, and with
follow-up telephone interviews. RESULTS--Of 512 patients treated for acute
unintentional CO poisoning, 39 cases (8%) occurred in 27 incidents related
to recreational boating activities. Individuals typically lost
consciousness as a result of the poisoning. Most cases occurred aboard a
boat that was older than 10 years, had an enclosable cabin, was longer than
22 feet, was powered by a gasoline engine, and was without a CO detector on
board. CONCLUSIONS--Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious hazard
associated with recreational boating. The installation of CO detectors
aboard boat types typically associated with this syndrome should be
strongly encouraged.
