Tragedy with gas lamp

[kimbowbill]

Hi all

i'm sure you are all aware of the dangers of gas appliances, and are all careful with such pieces of equipment, but i wanted to share this news as a reminder that even the most seasoned camper can be caught out. On Friday 18th Dec i read how a young man had died in his tent through carbon monoxide poisoning from his lamp which had a incorectly fitted shade, he was camping with his family and found dead by his daughter in the morning, how awful, its a real tragedy, the inquest heard that if the shade had been clipped down properly, and used in a well ventilated area he would have been ok, you can read the article on The Star: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More

take care and be safe

Jenny

 

[BillyB666]

Is it just me ? I don't even like to have the fridge on overnight- totally paranoid about gas / fumes

B

 

[PaulC]

You can get detectors from B&Q, etc. that detect co2 and sound off like fire alarm!

 

[Goaskalys]

CO2 alarms are a damn good idea, I'm not sleeping in my van without one

 

[Channa]

CO2 alarms are a damn good idea, I'm not sleeping in my van without one

Sorry for being a sceptical miserable twat...I live full time in a van with no alarms, I have a burglar alarm which the hound would set off ..so redundant/ bypassed and I will let her decide if we have a siege situation !!.

I long ago came up with the idea commercialism and marketeers, pray upon our emotions that we will be gassed / garroted in our slumber.

I dont see the evidence to support it.

I dont for a moment have a beef with people that choose to fit whatever alarm they want. But from a little probing and places like this, seems to me a convenient way of extracting a few quid from those conditioned to feel vulnerable.

The reality it seems is no greater or worse than your residence of bricks and mortar

Channa

 

[Kontiki]

These are Co2 alarms that can save your life, these are nothing to do with the so called 'gassing' for the purpose of robbing you (I think these are a waste of time.

Co2 is a real threat especially in a small van without adequate ventilation or drop out holes, there is no smell so you would just get sleepy & never wake up.

 

[Kontiki]

By the way this is a link to the story Dad gassed on a camping trip
Also should have said it was carbon monoxide not Co2.

 

[Channa]

By the way this is a link to the story Dad gassed on a camping trip
Also should have said it was carbon monoxide not Co2.

Carbon Monoxide aside I have a commercially produced van, A CI derivative, more ventilation than you can shake a stick at, So much so problematic in terms of drafts re the current climate.

A truma gas fire that exhausts direct to the elements, I am not making light of a potentially dangerous situation, I am just having difficulty in the grander scale making sense of the scaremongering.

Far more likely to be wiped out by an artic is my point ( no offence to artic divers an analogy)

Channa

 

[Kontiki]

I think the point of the original post was to warn people not to be complacent about the dangers of using gas appliances in an enclosed space. Who would have thought that you could get carbon monoxide poisoning in a tent, this is one place where you would think that there would be adequate ventilation. Many homebuilt conversions don't always have enough (I built a couple myself & was reluctant to drill big enough drop out holes ) but always made sure we had a window or door open when using the gas.

I agree that a factory converted vehicle should be ok but it is important you check that your appliances are working properly & you haven't inadvertently blocked the ventilation holes.

 

[jennyp19]

Isn't the problem with the gas that, it is heavier than air, and so forms a layer on the floor - hence you put holes in the floor, so the gas drops out - if you are using a window as ventilation, by the time the gas has built up to the height to fall out of the window its a bit too late.

 

[derekfaeberwick]

Not with C02. That's LPG you're thinking about.

 

[Coolasluck]

Well i camp with the wife and would never take the risk of killing her with co2.
If you want to take the risk fair enough,but its not for me,we recently stayed a night in our home but as i hadnt got a co2 alarm i preffered to go cold,although we were snug in our bed anyhow.

 

[biggirafe]

it is important you check that your appliances are working properly & you haven't inadvertently blocked the ventilation holes.

Good advise, An alarm will save your life if things go wrong, fitting correctly and servicing correctly should mean the alarm is never needed.

I have every sympathy for this poor chap in a tent, but he did not follow the clear warnings that both tents and gas camping equipment carry , do not use them in enclosed spaces or inside of tents. as we have these storys every season maybe camping shops should be made to provide training and a saftey pack when they sell gas equipment

 

[PaulC]

Also should have said it was carbon monoxide not Co2.

I keep mixing up co2 and co, but realise it's carbon monoxide that's the problem!

 

[G4GMO]

Sorry for being a sceptical miserable twat...I live full time in a van with no alarms, I have a burglar alarm which the hound would set off ..so redundant/ bypassed and I will let her decide if we have a siege situation !!.

I long ago came up with the idea commercialism and marketeers, pray upon our emotions that we will be gassed / garroted in our slumber.

I dont see the evidence to support it.

I dont for a moment have a beef with people that choose to fit whatever alarm they want. But from a little probing and places like this, seems to me a convenient way of extracting a few quid from those conditioned to feel vulnerable.

The reality it seems is no greater or worse than your residence of bricks and mortar

Channa

Well of course you are entitled to your opinion but the fact remains, people die from CO poisoning and not necessarily from faulty gas heaters/boilers as these two news items show.

Lawsuit Filed in Motorhome Monoxide Death | RV Business

Carbon monoxide poisoning kills man near track - WTHR

It is foolhardy to think that just because your equipment is safe that you aren't at risk. For the sake of £15 it just isn't worth the risk of not having a CO monitor in a motorhome.

 

[Channa]

Well of course you are entitled to your opinion but the fact remains, people die from CO poisoning and not necessarily from faulty gas heaters/boilers as these two news items show.

Lawsuit Filed in Motorhome Monoxide Death | RV Business

Carbon monoxide poisoning kills man near track - WTHR

It is foolhardy to think that just because your equipment is safe that you aren't at risk. For the sake of £15 it just isn't worth the risk of not having a CO monitor in a motorhome.

If you take the time and trouble to read my posts, I have clearly stated that I have no issue with people fitting whatever alarms they want if it makes them feel easier.( a fully understanable behaviour trait)

I suggested that there is a lot of scaremongering , and so far haven't seen an experience or opinion that changes my perception.

In terms of risk, I cant substantiate, However I have a suspicion driving the van has far more inherent dangers of meeting St Peters Pearly gates than carbon Monoxide poisioning.???

I accept Carbon Monoxide poisoning is possible and happens, But when compared with other daily activities that have an element of risk... It is way down the ladder.

That is my point !!

To an extent I believe my point is borne out by your linked news items.

I.e the occurences are so rare worthy of making the news???....How many deaths on the roads are reported with the same sensationalism ?

Channa

 

[G4GMO]

Having taken the "time and trouble" to read your post I have reponded with my opinion.

One less risk is one less risk.

From your post I assume you won't be fitting one. Your choice.

Good luck and happy camping.

 

[derekfaeberwick]

If you take the time and trouble to read my posts, I have clearly stated that I have no issue with people fitting whatever alarms they want if it makes them feel easier.( a fully understanable behaviour trait)

I suggested that there is a lot of scaremongering , and so far haven't seen an experience or opinion that changes my perception.

In terms of risk, I cant substantiate, However I have a suspicion driving the van has far more inherent dangers of meeting St Peters Pearly gates than carbon Monoxide poisioning.???

I accept Carbon Monoxide poisoning is possible and happens, But when compared with other daily activities that have an element of risk... It is way down the ladder.

That is my point !!

To an extent I believe my point is borne out by your linked news items.

I.e the occurences are so rare worthy of making the news???....How many deaths on the roads are reported with the same sensationalism ?

Channa

Perhaps, but for £10.00? It's a cheap fix compared to Air bags etc.

 

[Kontiki]

Fitting one of these is the same as having such things as seat belts, airbags, fire extinguisher etc.............. the are hopefully a complete waste of money as you never want to actually make use of them BUT if one of these safety devices works once for you it might save your life I'm grateful that I've never had to rely on any of these things. Even to the point of having the alarms against the controversial 'gas attacks' if they help you to sleep easier in your bed then are they worth it

 

[n8rbos]

having suffered the affects of co poisoning and realising how lucky my family and me were, i would for the sake of £10 strongly recommend the fitting of one, the fault in my case was a wrong cowl fitted to the chimney of my house, but none the less has shown me how easy it is to be overcome by co.

£10 v your life !!!!!! your decision.