SAFETY TIPS

A First Hand Experience with the Dangers of

Carbon Monoxide by Monika Gilliam

It was the start to a normal race weekend for us, the weekend of September 19th.

The first race of the season is always exciting! We look forward to jumping back on our bikes and seeing all of our friends at the track after the long summer break. Jacob, Max and I arrived at the track Saturday morning, we set up camp as usual- generator in the back of our pickup truck, chairs under our EZ UP. After we set up camp we go and socialize with our friends and family while watching the Saturday afternoon races. With the weather being so hot we usually leave max in the air conditioning and are sure to check on him every hour to make sure he’s okay. Saturday evening around 6pm Jacob and Max decided to play some video games with a few friends inside of our air conditioned trailer. By 9pm we get ready for bed.

5am Sunday morning I woke up feeling a little off. I decided to step outside, and I immediately fell to the ground. My head was loopy (almost similar to a hangover). I felt weak, but it never occurred to me that something was wrong. When I laid back down in bed, Jake asked if I was okay- being the supportive husband he is, he just thought I was hung over... but I knew that just wasn’t it. We fell back asleep around 6am, his hand holding mine… and that was the last time I spoke to him that morning.

Around 8:30-9 am (guessing times here), I heard obnoxiously loud banging on the trailer door. It woke me up, it was my dad- he opened the door. I recall him saying- “Monika wake up, you’re late for practice”. I guess I answered him saying I would be up soon. He knocked again a second time, but I do not recall. When I did finally awake Jake was still holding my hand, clinching it the same as when we went back to sleep that morning. Turning my body towards him, I looked at his face and I realized his eyes were wide open- they were blood shot, he wasn’t blinking – he was unresponsive.

Scared, I propped open the trailer door and I noticed a puddle of sweat around his whole body. His mouth was open, he was breathing but he wouldn’t speak, unconscious… so, I shook him, in hopes of him waking up. I started to tremble and shake, the tears started rolling down my face, I didn’t know what to do. Max sat still in one place, not even a bark. I was at our campsite, alone. I thought if I started, the AC It would cool Jacob down, would stop the sweating and I could grab help. It took all the strength I had to climb into the bed of the pickup truck and I could barely lift an empty gas can. As people returned from practice my friend, Frank asked if I was okay. He clearly noticed I wasn’t- he called Donnie and Randy. With EMT not being able to wake Jake up they had no other option than to rush him to the nearest hospital in Lakeland where he was admitted into the ICU for a few days. Our dog, Max passed away Monday morning at 3 years old.

We feel grateful to be able to share our story in hope that it brings awareness to this problem as our organization continues to grow. We know what we sign up for when we go racing, the possible injuries but we never think we could get hurt by sleeping in our trailers. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste. Breathing it in can make you unwell, and it can kill if you’re exposed to high levels. There’s no reason why someone shouldn’t have a $30 CO detector in their rig. Be aware of your surroundings and be neighborly, if your friends sleep in past a normal time, you suspect something is off, don’t be afraid to open their trailer door - it may save their life.

In loving memory of Max

- The Gilliams

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (NFPA.org).

When an individual is exposed to excess amounts of carbon monoxide, it can build up in your bloodstream. As the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air increases and the lungs begin pulling it in, the body starts replacing oxygen with it. This results in serious damage, unconsciousness, and even death (HealthPrep.com).

Carbon Monoxide Poisining Signs and Symptoms

Carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) is relatively common, resulting in about 20,000 ER visits annually. Early signs of poisining include reddened skin, irritability, brain fog or confusion, fatigue, headache, increased heart rate, loss of coordination and nausea (NCOAA.us).

PREVENTION TIPS

• Inspect the RV’s generator exhaust system regularly, at least before each outing. • Test the vehicle’s carbon monoxide detector every time you use an RV. • When the RV is parked, be aware of other nearby vehicles that may be using generators. When parking, make sure exhaust gases can easily blow away from the vehicle. (TN.gov)

While most RV’s come with Carbon Monoxide detectors, cargo trailers, vans and other vehicles that can be converted for camping do not. Luckily these detectors are inexpensive and can be found many places online and in store. I just purchased a Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector on Amazon for under $20.

With the increasing number of campers at our events it is very important to be aware of your surroundings and look to see where your neighbors generator exhaust is pointing. Small acts like this can save a life.