BACtrack C8 User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

This device is intended to measure alcohol in human breath.
Measurements obtained by this device are used in the diagnosis
of alcohol intoxication.

Introduction 2
Effects of Alcohol 5
Product Overview 8
Standalone Operation 8
BACtrack App Operation 10
Troubleshooting 12
Verification and Calibration 15
One-Year Limited Warranty 16

INTRODUCTION

The BACtrack® is a professional alcohol screening device, used
for the detection of alcohol in the breath. The BACtrack provides
a digital result indicating the approximate BAC (Blood Alcohol
Content) of the test subject. The BACtrack is easy to use; simply
turn on the unit and begin testing in a matter of seconds.

Before you begin testing, please read this manual in its entirety
and familiarize yourself with the BACtrack.

ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY

Alcohol is absorbed from the mouth, throat, stomach and
intestines into the bloodstream.

Alcohol ingested by the human body can be detected in the
breath because of its presence in the bloodstream.

Alcohol cannot be digested and it cannot be chemically changed
in the bloodstream. As the blood flows through the lungs, alcohol
in the bloodstream moves across the membranes of the lung’s
air sacs (alveoli) into the air. The concentration of the alcohol
in the alveolar air is directly related to the concentration of the
alcohol in the blood. As the alveolar air is exhaled, the alcohol in
it can be detected by the breath alcohol testing device.

The alcohol concentration in the breath is related to that in
the blood, and because of this, an individual’s BAC can be
determined by measuring alcohol in the breath. The ratio of
breath alcohol to blood alcohol is generally estimated to be
2,100:1. Therefore, 2,100 milliliters (ml) of alveolar air will contain

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approximately the same amount of alcohol as 1 ml of blood.

ALCOHOL IS A DRUG

Alcohol is the chemical (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) resulting from
the fermentation of grapes or grain. Alcohol is absorbed directly
into your bloodstream. From your bloodstream, the fluids in your
body tissues absorb the alcohol. Your brain is made up of a large
concentration of fluids and will absorb a large amount of any
alcohol you drink. Your liver eliminates the absorbed alcohol at its
own rate of time and nothing you eat or drink can speed up the
process. Your liver does this by oxidizing the alcohol (converting
it into water and carbon dioxide). Coffee, food or any other “cure”
will not sober you up; only time will do that.

HOW DOES ALCOHOL AFFECT MY BODY?

Alcohol is a depressant. It has a relaxing effect on the muscles
in your body. The muscles of your eyes relax and lose focus.
Your eyesight will become fuzzy and you may experience double
vision. Brain activity is slowed. Your judgment, reflexes, and
coordination are all negatively affected.

Some vision impairments that occur when you have been
drinking include:

• Narrowing of your field of vision

• Reduction in your depth perception

• Decreased ability to see in darkness

• Increased sensitivity to glare and a longer time for your eyes

to readjust from the glare

3

Some mental impairment can occur when you have been
drinking, including:

• Reduced awareness of danger

• Becoming overly confident and reckless

• Difficulty in making decisions

• Reduction in balance

• Slowed reflexes

• Impaired judgment

HOW DOES ALCOHOL AFFECT MY DRIVING?

We can’t emphasize enough how dangerous it is for you to drink
and drive. Your vision and your brain are the most important
factors in driving safely. If you jeopardize either by drinking, and
then you drive, you are likely to be involved in a serious or fatal
collision.

Do not use your BACtrack as a tool to determine whether you

should operate a motor vehicle or equipment, or perform any

other dangerous act. Do not drink and drive. Always have a

designated driver when alcohol is being consumed.

From California Department of Motor Vehicles

(http://www.dmv.ca.gov)

4

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL*

BAC | Dose-Specific Effects

0.02-0.03%BAC

Slight euphoria. Loss of shyness. Depressant

effects are not apparent. Impairment possible in
some individuals.

0.04-0.06%BAC

Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions
and sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor
impairment of reasoning and memory. Lowering

of caution. Driving skills may be impaired at this

level of intoxication.

0.07-0.09%BAC

Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision,
reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment
and self-control are reduced. Caution, reason

and memory are impaired. Driving skills are

always impaired at this level of intoxication and
higher.

0.10-0.12%BAC

Significant impairment of motor coordination and
loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred.
Balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be
impaired. Euphoria.

0.13-0.15%BAC

Gross motor impairment and lack of physical
control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance.
Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety,
restlessness) begins to appear.

0.16-0.20%BAC

Dysphoria predominates. Nausea may appear.

0.25%BAC

Need for assistance in walking. Total mental
confusion. Dysphoria with nausea and some

vomiting.

0.30%BAC

Loss of consciousness. Onset of coma. Possible
death due to respiratory arrest**.

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The generally accepted legal standard for alcohol intoxication in the
United States is 0.08%. However, your driving skills can be impaired
at any level above 0.00% BAC. It is never safe to drink any amount of
alcohol and drive.

* The effects of alcohol intoxication are greatly influenced by individual variations among
users. Some users will be intoxicated at a much lower BAC than shown on the previous
page.

** Death can occur at a lower BAC in some individuals.

IMPORTANT!

For most accurate results, it’s important to wait at least 20
minutes after smoking, eating or drinking before testing.

This is a universal principle for all breathalyzers, not just yours.
The reason being is that if you have recently consumed alcohol,
the residual alcohol in your mouth is very high and can cause a
false reading.

6

COMPONENTS DIAGRAM

7

REAR LED
LIGH

T

Light is
on if in
BACtrack
A

pp Mode

FRONT VIEW

FRONT LED LIGHT

Light is on when unit is on

BLOW

AREA

POWER

BUTTON

BATTERY COVER (BACK)