Carbon monoxide: be aware and safe

After an incident in Lancashire earlier this month, we would like to remind staff to be aware of the dangers and symptoms of carbon monoxide.

Paramedics in Preston became unwell and were taken to hospital after attending a suspected carbon monoxide (CO) leak. The crews were not aware of the potential dangers inside the property.

Symptoms for carbon monoxide include nausea, headaches, vomiting, and dizziness, irritability, rapid breathing, and, in severe cases, unconsciousness and respiratory arrest.

Signs to look for would be any of the above presenting to you or unexplained unconsciousness, particularly in poorly ventilated areas or where free standing gas heaters are in use. 

General advice for staff: consider opening all the doors and windows to the premises and turn off any appliances (gas and LPG fires, gas ovens and hobs etc.). If you can, remove yourself and the patient(s) out of the premises and into fresh air as soon as possible.

And remember, if you think carbon monoxide might be present in a building, or that a patient may have been exposed to it - remember to request help from the hazardous area response team (HART) if appropriate; they have specialist equipment to both check and monitor a patient's CO levels, and measure what gases are present in an environment or building.

If in any doubt, please ask to speak with the on-call tactical advisor via EOC.

Published 3rd January, 2016; updated 4th January, 2016