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Hiker critical after CO poisoning from stove


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Home Forums General Forums General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion Hiker critical after CO poisoning from stove

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  • #1286623
    Stuart R
    BPL Member

    @scunnered

    Locale: Scotland

    "A HILLWALKER was fighting for his life last night after being poisoned by his stove.
    Rescue teams found outdoors enthusiast Phil Morgan seriously ill in a tent on a remote moor. He was suffering from severe hypothermia but tests later revealed suspected carbon monoxide poisoning and brain damage. Last night, friends were praying for the 49-year-old in intensive care at Borders General Hospital."

    No info on the stove used, but as temperatures are now well above freezing it could be any type.

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/03/03/camper-fights-for-life-after-being-poisoned-by-stove-in-tent-86908-23773085/

    #1849092
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    Not good news. Curious as to how long the stove was running.

    #1850496
    Stuart R
    BPL Member

    @scunnered

    Locale: Scotland

    The guy is still in a coma. Apparently he had a gas lantern as well as stove, so the CO could have come from either.

    http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2012/03/07/trail-walker-remains-in-coma-after-carbon-monoxide-poisoning

    I think I will get some of these visual CO detectors for when I am forced to cook in the vestibule

    #1850676
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    Hi Stuart

    > I will get some of these visual CO detectors for when I am forced to cook in the vestibule
    But will you achieve anything with them?
    NO guarrantees are given, NO sensitivity is quoted, NO response time is given.

    In fact, one person commented:
    "These patches are a complete waste of money. Would you use a smoke alarm that just changed colour? Carbon monoxide kills very quickly. The only thing these are any good for is helping the coroner determin cause of death. Sorry to sound hard but I work in the gas industry and am constantly amazed by peoples ignorance when it come to their own safety."

    I have been cooking in my vestibule for 20+ years. What matters are 1) a low-CO stove and 2) ventilation.

    Cheers

    #1850982
    Stuart R
    BPL Member

    @scunnered

    Locale: Scotland

    > NO guarantees are given, NO sensitivity is quoted, NO response time is given.
    True, but these have been on the market for many years and are marketed (by reputable companies) for the purpose of preventing CO poisoning in a domestic environment. If they were ineffective or misleading then they would have been withdrawn.

    > I have been cooking in my vestibule for 20+ years.
    I bet this guy has too, but this time something went wrong, with either his stove or lantern.

    Given that these CO indicators are small, lightweight and inexpensive I think that they are worth consideration when using a stove or lantern in any confined space such as a hut, snow hole or tent.

    #1850991
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    That lantern. There lies the real culprit. Sad situation that could have been avoided easily. Best wishes for him and his family.

    #1851047
    Stuart R
    BPL Member

    @scunnered

    Locale: Scotland

    Pure speculation, but I suspect the lantern too. It is currently dark from ~6pm so he could have had it on for several hours, possibly inside the tent, whereas a stove is normally on for just a few minutes at a time. I hope he makes a full recovery.

    #1851542
    Stuart R
    BPL Member

    @scunnered

    Locale: Scotland

    From his partner: “He did not make an outdoor fire as the wind had picked up. He used his Camping Gaz light and a small stove in the tent instead. It was something Phil had always done. His decision to use the light and stove in this tent on this trip appears to have been an error of judgment. He was still ­unconscious this evening, there were just a few small involuntary reflexive movements, no response to voice commands.”

    Not good.

    #1857850
    Stuart R
    BPL Member

    @scunnered

    Locale: Scotland

    Good news – this guy has just come out of the coma and is expected to recover. A close call.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-17444034

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