Use of carbon monoxide detectors by emergency medical services. Comments and recommendations for operation and definition of threshold values

Due to the increasing occurrence of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and increasing public awareness, many emergency services have acquired devices to warn emergency staff. The use of CO warning devices requires threshold values that protect emergency staff and also permit life-saving measures of short duration as well as an early initiation of therapy. Quantitative assessment of CO-associated hazards on the basis of an empiric exposure model and comparison with toxicological data, occupational health limit-values and emergency plans according to recommendations of international associations. Recommendations for the protection of patients as well as emergency medical staff and for setting of warning threshold values are presented. Warning devices with multiple warning limits provide the maximum possible room to maneuver in emergency situations with sufficient protection of emergency staff. The use of CO detectors in accordance with the described recommendations allows the detection of unrecognized CO poisoning and risk-adjusted warning against acute danger at the emergency location.