New Castle County Paramedics have a new tool to keep them safe on the job.
This week, paramedics will begin carrying portable carbon monoxide detectors on all their paramedic units. The detectors are about the size of a pager, and emit an audible and vibrating alarm when exposed to elevated carbon monoxide levels.The paramedics have placed the detectors on their equipment packs, which remain with the crew during a response.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. It is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars, small gasoline engines, stoves, burning charcoal and heating systems. The gas from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces.
“These detectors will provide added safety for our paramedics, since carbon monoxide poisoning can produce symptoms that mimic other illnesses” said Chief Lawrence E. Tan of the New Castle County Paramedics. “They will alert the EMS personnel to a dangerous environmental condition and identify the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning of both the patient and the responding paramedics.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of carbon monoxide inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death.
The detectors were obtained through federal homeland security funding. Each battery-operated unit costs approximately $230. The Emergency Medical Services Division obtained 45 detectors to provide carbon monoxide monitoring capability on all paramedic and supervisory response vehicles.
