Breath Alcohol Self-Test
June 27, 2008 – 5:04 amTo estimate of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) a breath alcohol test is given. The breath alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol in the air that you breathe out or exhale. There is a simple hand held device that allows you to measure your own breath alcohol level. If the device is calibrated correctly and used according to the manufacturer’s directions, it will give you an accurate estimate of your blood alcohol level. This personal device is similar to, although not as precise as, the type of test given by police for suspected drunk drivers.
Within minutes of drinking alcohol, your blood alcohol concentration starts to rise. Unlike food, alcohol is absorbed directly through the walls of the stomach, goes into the bloodstream, and travels throughout your body and to your brain. This allows blood alcohol levels to increase quickly.
Food in your stomach may increase the amount of time it takes for the blood alcohol to reach its highest level however typically the amount of alcohol in your blood reaches its highest level about 60 minutes after drinking. Most of the alcohol is broken down in the liver while the rest is passed out of your body through urine and exhaled breath. You can purchase breath alcohol devices to measure your breath alcohol concentration at many pharmacies or through the Internet.
The manual breath alcohol device is a glass tube (or a balloon and a glass tube) which contains crystals that will change color when exposed to alcohol from your breath. This manual device is much simpler and less costly than electronic meters.
The electronic meter shows your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) percentage in a digital display window after you blow into a glass mouthpiece attached to the meter. This type of meter is more expensive than the manual type.
More and more restaurants and bars are offering the use of one of these two breath test methods at no charge for customers. These devices are also instrumental in alcohol rehabilitation facilities and hospitals.
The breath alcohol self-test is only to estimate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), not as a representation of your actual driving abilities. However, the results can help you determine whether it is safe to drive. Keep in mind that your driving may be impaired even with a low BAC level, such as below 0.05.
The breath alcohol test offers only one piece of information to help you make a safe decision about drinking and driving. The safest decision is always to not drive if you have been drinking.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is commonly used by police and other legal authorities to determine whether a person is legally impaired and should not drive. A blood alcohol concentration in the range of 0.05 to 0.10 is considered legally impaired throughout most of the United States. However, legal BAC levels vary from state to state.
Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) can have fatal results. Alcohol is involved in almost half of all deadly highway accidents. All it takes is one drink to possibly impair your ability to drive safely. At 0.06 BAC, your judgment and physical coordination are impaired. At a BAC of 0.08, your muscle coordination and driving ability are significantly impaired.
Having a calculable amount of alcohol in the blood can mean that judgment and reflexes are compromised. You can buy breath alcohol tests through the Internet, either directly from the manufacturer or from a company promoting these types of products. To find this type of device on the internet, simply search using the type of test or with the name of the manufacturer.
Tags: Health and Fitness
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