Our Story (Do Not Publish) | Kedas Memorial Fdn.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness

It was recently passed in the state of Ohio, that April is Powerboat Safety Awareness Month with an emphasis on carbon monoxide education. Referred to as the "silent killer", carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, & colorless poisonous gas that is a natural byproduct of burning fuels, like gasoline, propane, wood & charcoal. When fuels are not completely burned, carbon monoxide develops; where there is burning fuel, there is carbon monoxide.

How carbon monoxide affects the body

Carbon monoxide affects cell metabolism by depriving the body's cells of oxygen. When carbon monoxide is breathed in, hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body's tissues, is converted to carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). COHb diminishes the ability of the blood to not only carry necessary oxygen to the body's tissues, but also prevents it from releasing what oxygen there is left. All organs of the body are affected, but those that require the most oxygen like the brain & heart, are most vulnerable.

Signs Of Carbon Monoxide exposure

• headache

• weakness

• nausea or vomiting

• dizziness

• shortness of breath or chest pain

• confusion

• blurred vision

• sleepiness

• loss of muscle control

• loss of consciousness

• brain damage

• death

• Carbon monoxide poisoning is often mistaken for sea sickness or intoxication.

If somebody has been exposed to carbon monoxide, it is essential that they get to fresh air immediately & seek medical care!

OUR STORY

On June 23rd, 2021, Chris & Owen were assisting a family with moving their boat along the shores of Lake Erie. While traveling at low speeds, the intake system was unable to pull water into the engines to cool them off. The inability to cool the engines caused one of the inboard engines to overheat, resulting in the exhaust system to fail. Exhaust from the damaged engine accumulated in the engine compartment ultimately forcing it to escape from an improperly secured inspection port located near the helm. As exhaust filled the cockpit of the boat, carbon monoxide became trapped under the extended Bimini top. Although the back was open, there wasn't any fresh air pushing the poisonous gas out of the partially enclosed cockpit as the port & starboard windows were both shut. There was also no carbon monoxide detector installed on the boat. Witnesses to the incident claimed that there was a very strong smell of exhaust coming from the boat as it passed by them. It was also reported that as the crews from the U.S. Coast Guard were arriving on scene, the portable carbon monoxide detectors that they wore were already alerting them to the presence of high carbon monoxide levels in the air. Chris, Owen, & the owner of the boat, were all unresponsive when found & it was determined that cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. Owen, who was located on the transom seating, had a blood carboxyhemoglobin level of 48% (give or take 4%), and Chris, who collapsed between the cockpit & the aft deck, had a blood carboxyhemoglobin level greater than 50%. Anything greater than 40% is considered severe exposure. The owner of the boat was found at the helm but his blood carboxyhemoglobin level was not disclosed.