Lubbock, TX – When Jennifer Staudenraus went to Buffalo Springs Lake on Friday, she expected to cool down and relax like everyone else.
But instead, while she was sitting on the tail of the boat, she started to feel weird and knew something wasn’t right.
That’s the last thing she remembers before she passed out – completely unconscious.
When Jennifer’s sister realized what was happening, they pulled her into the boat. They said at one point she stopped breathing and turned blue.
They gave Jennifer CPR and tried to ask her questions, but she was completely unresponsive.
Jennifer was then taken back to the marina where EMS and police were waiting to take her to the hospital.
Along with her diagnosis of dehydration and hypothermia, Jennifer later realized her symptoms matched with carbon monoxide poisoning.
“I want everyone to be aware of the risks that this can cause if they are not careful during these hot summer days,” she said. “I wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through this.”
This is a situation Kelly Vaughan, who lives on Buffalo Springs Lake, said he has seen many times.
“Several people say ‘I’m not feeling good,’ you know,” he said, “because a lot of people like to sit on the teak.”
Kelly tries to make sure no one sits near the emissions at the back of the boat for long periods of time.
“We basically just rotate them out,” he said, “so there’s not just one kid sitting back there.”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention explains that this happens when gasoline engines produce carbon monoxide at the rear of the boat, especially while traveling at slow speeds or idle.
People who sit on the back swim deck for too long can experience headaches, feel dizzy or weak, have chest pain, confusion and become nauseated – even to the point of vomiting until they pass out into the water and drown.
Lubbock Fire Department Chief Steve Holland has seen these deadly symptoms firsthand.
“It keeps building up more and more in your bloodstream,” Holland said. “It’s just a lack of oxygen to the brain.”
Holland has a few recommendations for anyone who wants to enjoy themselves on the lake this summer without endangering their lives.
“If you can smell the fumes from the boat and you’re smelling it over a period of time, you’re probably getting some carbon monoxide,” he said, “so move around, maybe drive just a little bit faster so that the wind helps blow those fumes away from you instead of causing that to swirl into the area where you’re sitting in the boat.”
This is how the CDC recommends preventing carbon monoxide poisoning on boats:
“Install and maintain a working CO detector listed by Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) as appropriate for marine use inside the boat to alert people when dangerous levels of CO have built up inside the boat cabin.
Properly install and maintain all fuel-burning engines and appliances.
Educate all passengers about the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning.
Swim and play away from areas where engines vent their exhaust.
Watch children closely when they play on rear swim decks or water platforms.
Never block exhaust outlets. Blocking outlets can cause CO to build up in the cabin and cockpit areaseven when hatches, windows, portholes, and doors are closed.
Dock, beach, or anchor at least 20 feet away from the nearest boat that is running a generator or engine. Exhaust from a nearby vessel can send CO into the cabin and cockpit of a boat.”
For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/co/boating.htm