The right time to check my blood alcohol level.
As a retailer of breathalyser’s, a common question asked of us by potential customers is this.
“When is the right time for me to measure my alcohol level?”
The purpose of this blog is to address this very important question, as well as making consumers aware of the optimum use for this type of device.
We at Top Gadgets send this information to both our potential and existing customers. We hope that it will also answer any questions you may have on this topic.
Once again, thank you for buying the (insert breathalyser model here) breathalyser from us.
We would like to take a few minutes of your valuable time to explain the optimum operation of this type of device.
A common misconception by drinkers is believing that once a person has consumed their last drink the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), measured as a percentage, remains at this level. This is incorrect. The instructions for most breathalyser’s state that at least 20-30 minutes should pass before a breathalyser reading is attempted. You will be aware that, when stopped by the police for a random breath test (RBT), you are usually asked if you have had anything to drink in the last 30 minutes.
We should be mindful that even after the consumption of alcohol has ceased, the BAC might continue to rise for a further two to three hours. It is only at this point that you will have the highest likely BAC reading.
So when you are enjoying a few drinks and decide to do a breath test from a coin operated machine or a hand held breathalyser, the reading may be low. This low reading could allow you to believe that you are capable of driving your motor vehicle, flying your aircraft, driving your boat, or even going to work. In fact, your BAC may continue to rise for up to two to three hours after your last drink! A little into your journey, should you be subjected to a breathalyser test, there is a significant chance (depending on your alcohol consumption and what you have eaten prior) you will fail the test. The consequences of a failed breath test are far reaching and could impact on your work and private life.
Wall-mounted units and hand held breathalyser’s are not intended for use while still consuming alcohol. The manufactures recommend use for these highly calibrated devices would best be described as “morning after” use. It is at this time there should be no reason for the BAC to increase (depending on the time you had consumed your last alcoholic beverage). In fact, it should continue to decrease further as time passes.
You will know from advertising and personal experience, that usually when we hear BAC, the level for fully licensed drivers in NSW is under .05%, for drivers with special licenses the limit is under .02% and .00% for provisional or learner drivers. Even some industries have adapted a BAC of under .02% as the ‘OK to work’ level.
The Pitfalls of Cheaper Breathalyser Units.
Some semi-conductor breathalyser’s (cheaper units that may be purchased at service stations or on some websites) are nowhere near as accurate as the more expensive fuel cell sensor types. Semi-conductor units are subject to more readings that are false, as these units can react to substances other than alcohol, combined with a higher margin of error.
These cheaper breathalyser’s cannot distinguish between ethyl alcohol and other compounds of a simple chemical nature. Methyl compounds such as acetone and ketones can be present in the breath of diabetics and those taking certain dietary supplements and can cause the breathalyser to over-estimate the BAC.
Cheaper semi-conductor units usually only have the ability to display readings of two decimal places, i.e. .05% BAC. The mistake that could be made from these units is that you do not know if this reading is above or below the acceptable limit for driving a motor vehicle, operating machinery, or going to work. You could be .05%, or well over this. You cannot tell from these cheaper units with any great certainty as they do not show the correct percentage.
Fuel cell sensor breathalyser’s, especially those that have been tested to comply with Australian and New Zealand Standards (A/NZS) like the Andatech AL9000 Stealth, (+$349.00) or the Andatech AlcoSense Precision, ($439.00), for sale on our website www.topgadgets.com.au, react only to alcohol. They are more precise (the equivalent of approximately .005% BAC at 0.1% BAC at time of calibration) and maintain their accuracy over time and several hundred tests.
As well as having readings of three decimal places that will provide you, the consumer, with a more accurate reading, the Andatech fuel cell sensor range of breathalyser’s, for example, would show an indication of .049% BAC. This would then allow you to make the correct determination depending on your circumstances.
Before we decide to travel or go to work we may conduct a breath test at home using a quality fuel cell sensor unit, like the Andatech AL9000 Stealth or the AlcoSense Precision, we can rely with reasonable certainty on this reading, as long as we have maintained the unit to the manufacturer’s calibration requirements.
Calibration
Having said that, at any time should you believe that the unit is not working correctly, please conduct another test and compare the reading with the first one. If you notice a difference in the results, it may be that your unit requires recalibration to maintain its optimum functionality. Alternatively, if you believe at any time that the readings are not consistent with your alcohol consumption, please send your unit in for calibration – do not risk your driver’s license and or your job on readings that may be incorrect.
We recommend
Top Gadgets highly recommends the use of fuel cell sensor technology breathalyser’s, as they utilise the same type of technology as units operated by police and RTA and are far more accurate within percentage points. Remember, percentage points can make the difference!
Click here for further information on the AL9000 Stealth Breathalyser,
AL9000 Stealth Breathalyser
Or click here for more information on the AlcoSense Precision Breathalyser,
AlcoSense Precision Breathalyser
Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at remo@topgadgets.com.au
Thanks for visiting this blog. Please visit our website at www.topgadgets.com.au for these and many other Top Gadgets.
As always we welcome your comments, feedback and ideas. Thanks again.
Remo Krause,
Director and CEO
Top Gadgets