Breath Alcohol Self-Test
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An estimate of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is determined with a breath alcohol test. This test measures the amount of alcohol in the air stream that you breathe out (exhale). A simple handheld device is available enabling you to measure breath alcohol level on yourself. The device can provide a correct estimate of your blood alcohol level if calibrated and used in accordance to the manufacturer’s instructions. This home machine is similar to, though not as exact as, the type of test used by police for suspected drunk drivers.
Within minutes of drinking alcohol, your blood alcohol concentration starts to rise. Unlike food, alcohol is absorbed directly through the walls of the stomach, goes into the bloodstream, and travels throughout your body and to your brain. This allows blood alcohol levels to increase quickly.
Food in your stomach may increase the amount of time it takes for the blood alcohol to reach its highest level however typically the amount of alcohol in your blood reaches its highest level about 60 minutes after drinking. Most of the alcohol is broken down in the liver while the rest is passed out of your body through urine and exhaled breath. You can purchase breath alcohol devices to measure your breath alcohol concentration at many pharmacies or through the Internet.
The manual appliance is a glass tube (or a balloon and a glass tube) that contains color changing crystals activated when exposed to alcohol from your breath. This device is easier and less expensive than electronic meters.
The electronic meter is a glass mouthpiece attached to a meter that shows your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) percentage in a digital display window. This type of meter is more expensive than the manual type.
Many bars and restaurants provide their customers with free alcohol breath tests using one of these two methods. The devices are also used to monitor people in an alcohol rehabilitation center or hospital.
The breath alcohol self-test is only to estimate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), not as a representation of your actual driving abilities. However, the results can help you determine whether it is safe to drive. Keep in mind that your driving may be impaired even with a low BAC level, such as below 0.05.
The breath alcohol test offers one piece of information to help you make a safe decision about drinking and driving. The safest decision is always not to drive if you have been drinking.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is regularly used by police to determine whether a person is legally impaired and therefore should not be behind the wheel of a vehicle. A blood alcohol concentration in the range of 0.05 to 0.10 is considered legally impaired throughout most of the United States. However, legal BAC levels vary from state to state.
Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) can have fatal results. Alcohol is involved in almost half of all deadly highway accidents. All it takes is one drink to possibly impair your ability to drive safely. At 0.06 BAC, your judgment and physical coordination are impaired. At a BAC of 0.08, your muscle coordination and driving ability are significantly impaired.
Having a calculable amount of alcohol in the blood can mean that judgment and reflexes are compromised. You can buy breath alcohol tests through the Internet, either directly from the manufacturer or from a company promoting these types of products. To find this type of device on the internet, simply search using the type of test or with the name of the manufacturer.
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