Southport, Conn. — The Southport Volunteer Fire Department recently acquired a new lifesaving medical instrument. The Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter uses multiple wavelengths of light to quickly and noninvasively measure the level of carbon monoxide poisoning in a persons bloodstream. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a non-irritating, colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that can be deadly. The Rad-57 will be used whenever responding to CO alarms, structure fires, or whenever medical patients present with the signs of CO poisoning which include flu like symptoms, mild to severe headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, altered judgment, confusion, fainting, and seizures.
After receiving training on the operation of the unit, the Southport Volunteer Fire Department's Squad 14 has been carrying the unit since late June. In addition to being capable of detecting CO poisoning in adults, the Southport Volunteer Fire Department is also uniquely equipped with an additional sensor specifically designed to monitor pediatric patients for the condition.
The Southport Volunteer Fire Department strongly urges residents to install CO detectors in their homes, have heating systems, chimneys and gas appliances inspected and serviced annually, do not use kerosene heaters or gas powered appliances (generators, lawn mowers, snow blowers) anywhere in the home including the basement or garage. If a CO detector activates residents should immediately evacuate the home, call 911 from a neighbor's house or a cell phone and make no effort to ventilate the home prior to arrival of the fire department as such efforts may leave little evidence to detect the level of CO present, if any.
The purchase of these lifesaving tools was funded in part by donations from the Southport Area Association, the Jelliff Corporation, Sturm Ruger & Company, as well as through the generosity of the residents of Southport, Fairfield and beyond. The Southport Volunteer Fire Department has been serving the Village of Southport and Town of Fairfield for over 100 years. For more information about the Southport Volunteer Fire Department, to learn how to join, or to make a donation, please visit www.southportfire.org. |
