BACtrack Trace User Manual
User Manual
Professional Breathalyzer
INTRODUCTION 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 ........................................................... 1
Dose-specific Effects of Alcohol.......................... 4
Preparation ........................................................... 6
Components Diagram .......................................... 6
Operation .............................................................. 7
Specifications .......................................................10
Precautions .......................................................... 11
Verification and Calibration .............................. 12
One-Year Limited Warranty ..............................13
Track your B.A.C. – BACtrack!
The BACtrack® Breathalyzer 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 powered by
two AAA batteries and is very easy to use. Simply turn
on the unit and begin testing in a matter of seconds.
However, before you begin testing, there are a few
things you should know. Please take a moment to read
your owner’s 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.
1
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 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 eld 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 condent and reckless
• Difculty in making decisions
• Reduction in balance
• Slowed reexes
• 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.
From California Department of Motor Vehicles
(http://www.dmv.ca.gov)
2 3
DOSE-SPECIFIC EFFECTS OF
ALCOHOL
*
4 5
Dose-Specific Effects
Slight euphoria. Loss of shyness. Depressant
effects are not apparent. Impairment possible in
some individuals
.
BAC
0.02-0.03%
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.
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.
Significant impairment of motor coordination and
loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred.
Balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be
impaired. Euphoria.
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.
0.04-0.06%
0.07-0.09%
0.10-0.12%
0.13-0.15%
0.16-0.20%
0.25%
0.30%
0.40% +
BAC
* 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.
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.
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