BACtrack Backtrack User manual

User Guide

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Dose Specific Effects of Alcohol . . . . . . . . . . 6
Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Components Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Verification and Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
One-Year Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Track your B.A.C - BACtrack!

INTRODUCTION
Your BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer is a professional alcohol
screening device used for the detection of alcohol in the
breath. It uses a professional-grade fuel cell sensor to analyze
your breath, then transmits this reading to your smartphone or
tablet via Bluetooth, where your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
estimate is displayed.
Your Mobile Breathalyzer is powered by a battery that can be
recharged via the micro-USB cable provided. Simply use the
cord to plug the unit into a USB slot on your computer and
charging will begin. Please note that the USB cord only charges
the device - no data is transmitted.
Alcohol and Its Effects on the Human Body
When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed from the mouth,
throat, stomach, and intestines into the bloodstream. Blood
2.
carries the alcohol throughout the body - including to the lungs.
As alcohol-laden blood moves across the membranes of the
lung’s air sacs (alveoli), it permeates the breath. The concentration
of the alcohol in the alveolar air is directly related to the
concentration of alcohol in the blood.
The ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol is generally estimated
to be 2,100:1. Therefore, every 2,100 ml of alveolar air contains
approximately the same amount of alcohol as 1 ml of blood. The
breathalyzer uses this ratio in order to make an accurate estimate
of your BAC.
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 tissues in
your body absorb the alcohol. Your brain is a tissue made up of a
large concentration of fluids and absorbs a large amount of any
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alcohol you drink. Your liver eliminates the absorbed alcohol at its
own rate 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. As the muscles of your eyes relax and lose focus,
your eyesight becomes fuzzy and you may experience double
vision. Brain activity is slowed. Your judgment, reflexes, and
coordination are all negatively affected.
Some vision impairment can occur when you have been drinking,
including:
• Narrowing of your eld of vision
• Reduction in your depth perception
• Decreased ability to see in darkness
• Increased sensitivity to glare
• Delay in adjusting to different light levels
Mental impairment can also occur when you have been
drinking, including:
• Reduced awareness of danger
• Becoming overly condent and reckless
• Difculty in making decisions
• Reduction in balance
• Slowed reexes
• Impaired judgment
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Dose-Specific Effects
Slight euphoria. Loss of shyness. Depressant
effects are not apparent. Impairment possible in
some individuals.
BAC
0.02-0.03%
Continued on next page >
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 to driving safely. If you jeopardize either one by drinking
and driving, you are likely to be involved in a serious or fatal
collision. You may kill yourself, your best friends, or someone
else’s family.
DOSE SPECIFIC EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL*
Dose-Specific Effects
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 and higher.
Euphoria. Slight impairment of balance, speech,
vision, reaction time, and hearing. Judgment and
self-control are reduced. Caution, reason and
memory are impaired. Driving skills are always
impaired at this level of intoxication and higher.
Heightened euphoria. Significant impairment of
motor coordination and loss of good judgment.
Speech may be slurred. Balance, vision, reaction
time and hearing will be impaired.
BAC
0.04-0.06%
0.07-0.09%
0.10-0.12%
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