BACtrack Mobile 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 . . . . . . . . . . 7
Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Components Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Verification and Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Regular Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
One-Year Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Track your B.A.C. - BACtrack!

INTRODUCTION
Your BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Professional 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 BACtrack Mobile 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.
2.

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
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.
3.

4.
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
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

5.
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 field 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 confident and reckless
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Reduction in balance
• Slowed reflexes
• Impaired judgment
6.

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
Slight euphoria. Loss of shyness. Depressant
effects are not apparent. Impairment possible
in some individuals.
BAC
0.02-0.03%
7.

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.
BAC
0.04-0.06%
0.07-0.09%
8.

Dose-Specific Effects
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.
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.
Dysphoria predominates. Nausea may appear.
Need for assistance in walking. Total mental
confusion. Dysphoria with nausea and
some vomiting.
BAC
0.10-0.12%
0.13-0.15%
0.16-0.20%
0.25%
9.

Dose-Specific Effects
Loss of consciousness.
Onset of coma. Possible death due to
respiratory arrest**.
BAC
0.30%
0.40% +
* 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.
10.

PREPARATION
Step 1. Download the BACtrack app or the BACtrack
compatible app that wil be used with the BACtrack
Mobile.
Step 2. Go to Settings on your mobile device and make sure
Bluetooth®is switched on.
Step 3. Press and hold the Power Button on your BACtrack
Mobile for two seconds, then release, powering it on
and allowing it be found. Your BACtrack will connect
automatically.
11.

12.
COMPONENTS DIAGRAM
Breath Chamber
Power Button
Micro-USB Slot
OPERATION
IMPORTANT!
For most accurate results, it’s important to wait at least 15
minutes after smoking, eating or drinking before testing. This
is a universal principle for all breathalyzers, not just yours. The

13.
reason being is that if you have recently consumed alcohol, the
residual alcohol in your mouth is very high and can cause a false
reading. Additionally, waiting 15 minutes allows the alcohol to be
absorbed from your stomach into your bloodstream, contributing
to more accurate test results.
Step 1. If you would like to use a
mouthpiece, attach it to the BACtrack
Mobile. Note: Using a mouthpiece
is optional and does not affect the
performance of the breathalyzer;
however it does provide a hygienic
way to test others.

14.
Step 2. Press and hold the Power Button on your BACtrack
Mobile for two seconds, then release, to power on the unit.
Step 3. Open the app you are using from the home screen
on your device.
Step 4. Use your BACtrack or BACtrack-compatible app
as instructed.
Step 5. When finished testing, hold the Power Button on your
BACtrack Mobile for two seconds to turn it off.

15.
1.75 x 2.75 x 0.63 inches
1.75 oz (47g)
XtendTM electro-chemical fuel cell
About 10 seconds
5 seconds
Rechargeable with included micro USB cable*
0.000 – 0.400%
32° - 104°F (0 - 40°C)
1 year limited warranty
Dimensions
Weight
Sensor Technology
Warm up Time
Blowing Time
Power Supply
BAC Range
Operating
Warranty
SPECIFICATIONS
*Battery cannot be replaced.

16.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Wait 20 minutes after eating, drinking, or smoking before
blowing in the BACtrack Mobile. Failure to wait 20 minutes
can provide inaccurate test results and may possibly damage
the sensor.
2. Do not blow smoke, food, or liquids into your BACtrack
Mobile. This will damage the sensor.
3. Do not test in areas with strong winds, smoke.
4. Send your BACtrack Mobile in for periodic calibration service
as required. (See Verification and Calibration.)
5. Your BACtrack Mobile is designed to be used
in a temperature range of 32-104 °F (0-40 °C).

17.
6. Avoid testing in the presence of any substances that contain
methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or acetone. These substances
may interfere with the results of the test.
7. You cannot use the results of this product in court.
8. Do not use your BACtrack Mobile as a tool to determine
whether you should operate a motor vehicle or equipment,
or perform any other dangerous act.
9. Do not drink and drive. Always have a designated driver
when alcohol is being consumed.

18.
REGULAR USE
Your BACtrack Mobile is a sensitive instrument. Unlike other
electronic devices, your breathalyzer shouldn’t be ignored for
long periods of time. The sensor inside it is delicate and can dry
out if left unused for too long. In order to keep it in good working
condition, we recommend that you blow into it at least once a
month, even if you don’t plan on using it. Breathing into the unit
regularly keeps the sensor in good working order.
Your BACtrack Mobile is rechargeable. You may recharge the
unit with the micro-USB cable included or any micro-USD cable.
When the back and front lights of the BACtrack Mobile are pulsing
slowly, the battery is charging; when the lights are on very dimly,
the battery is fully charged.