Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

  

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

 a. General.—

(l) Among all the dangers of arctic operations, the danger of

suffocation by carbon monoxide is one of the greatest. To

troops coming to Arctic regions for the first time, the dis￾comfort of cold is so great that common sense is often lost

in an attempt to keep warm. In temporary shelters, stoves

or fires should be used only for cooking and then shut off or

put out unless it is certain that draft and ventilation is

enough to carry off the gases that form; clothing must be

depended upon for warmth. If stove is kept going even

for half hour in an improperly ventilated shelter, dan￾gerous amount of carbon monoxide may be generated. Car￾bon monoxide is odorless, and will overcome sleeping person without warning.

(2) When closed vehicle becomes stalled in the snow,

the engine is generally left running to keep the occupants

warm and to avoid difficulty in again starting the motor.

If snow drifts over the exhaust pipe and carbon monoxide

fills the vehicle, the occupants may be overcome by the gas.

When in stalled vehicle, always keep the exhaust pipe

open by getting out frequentlyand cleaning away the drifted

snow. If alone, do not go to sleep in closed car while the

motor is running. It is possible to insure adequate ventila￾tion without chilling, if windows on the lee side of car

are opened. If possible, at least two men should travel

together in vehicle, so that when rest is necessary they

can take turns sleeping. When practicable, two or more

vehicles should travel together. lantern and blanket

will keep person warm in stalled vehicle, even in bliz￾zard of several days duration. Wrap the blanket around

the body; light the lantern and place it between the feet.

b. First-aid measures.—(l) Remove the cause. If stove

is burning or if motor is running, turn it off.

(2) Get outdoors or move the overcome person outdoors. (3) For persons who cannot get outdoors, secure proper

ventilation immediately, and keep them quiet.

(4) Breathe evenly, and do not move about.

(5) If person has been overcome by carbpn monoxide and

is not breathing, give artificial respiration as described in

paragraph 37.

(6) Once outside, to prevent freezing, it is important to

cover with blankets or get into sleeping bag.