Table Of COnTenTs
InTrOduCTIOn
This device is intended to measure
alcohol in human breath. Measurements
obtained by this device are used in the
diagnosis of alcohol intoxication.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Dose-specific Effects of Alcohol . . . 4
Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Components Diagram ........... 6
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Specifications ................. 11
Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Verification and Calibration ......13
One-Year Limited Warranty ..... 14
Track your B.A.C. – BACTRACK!
The BACTRACK® Select S80 Breathalyzer is an alcohol screening
device, used for the detection of alcohol in the breath. The
BACTRACK provides a digital result, displaying an estimate of
the subject’s BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). Before you begin
testing, it is very important to read the entire owner’s manual.
It is also very important to have the instrument calibrated
periodically as recommended on page 13. Failure to do so
may result in readings that are inaccurate.
Alcohol and Its Effects on the Human Body
When a person consumes alcohol, the alcohol is absorbed from
the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines into the bloodstream.
The alcohol in the bloodstream exchanges with air deep in
the lungs. The percent of alcohol in a person’s blood (BAC)
is proportional to the percent of alcohol in a person’s breath
(BrAC). The BACTRACK measures a subject’s deep lung air
alcohol level and converts it to the estimated BAC.
“BAC” means Blood Alcohol Concentration. It is measured in %.
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
Some mental (brain) 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•
Variations among individuals and other factors, such as altitude
and air temperature, affect the degree of intoxication. Some
individuals may become intoxicated at low BAC levels. A low
BAC on a breath alcohol tester does not mean that a person’s
reaction times can respond to any emergency encountered.
Individuals should not drink alcohol and drive or use any
machinery after consuming alcohol.
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.
There is no safe way to drive under the influence of
alcohol. Even one drink can make you unsafe.
From California Department of Motor Vehicles (http://www.dmv.ca.gov)
dOse-speCIfIC effeCTs Of alCOhOl
BAC
Dose-Specific Effects
0.02-0.03% Slight euphoria. Loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Impairment
possible in some individuals.
0.04-0.06% 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% 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% Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech
may be slurred. Balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired.
Euphoria.
1
*
BAC
Dose-Specific Effects
1
0.13-0.15% Gross motor impairment and lack of
physical control. Blurred vision and major
loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and
dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) is beginning to appear.
0.16-0.20% Dysphoria predominates. Nausea may
appear.
0.25% Needs assistance in walking. Total mental
confusion. Dysphoria with nausea and
some vomiting.
0.30% Loss of consciousness.
0.40% and up Onset of coma. Possible death due to
respiratory arrest**.
1
Bailey, William J., Drug Use in American Society, 3rd ed.,
Minneapolis: Burgess, 1993
* 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 above.
**Death can occur at a lower BAC in some individuals.
The generally accepted legal standard for alcohol intoxication in
the United States is 0.08%. However, your driving skills can be
impaired at a level of 0.04% or lower. It is never safe to drink
any amount of alcohol and drive.