Mike Parks
09/25/15
COMX 111
Informative Speech
Preparation outline

General Purpose: To inform my audience about Carbon Monoxide poisoning, symptoms of exposure, the effects it can cause, where it can be detected, and how to prevent becoming a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience how to become more aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide and how to prevent exposure.
Central Idea: Carbon Monoxide is a deadly, odorless, colorless, tasteless gas but with proper education and detection you can avoid becoming another statistic of carbon monoxide poisoning.
INTRODUCTION

I. What is Carbon Monoxide poisoning? (According to Anne Marie Helmenstine) A. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is when a person breathes in too much carbon monoxide and it replaces the oxygen in your blood. 1. Lack of oxygen in the bloodstream causes cells throughout the body to die, causing organs to stop working, which can then lead to death.

II. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? A. There are early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning that you should be aware of to help you identify if you might be getting exposed to this deadly gas. 1. Early symptoms consist of headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath.

III. There can be long term effects from over exposure to carbon monoxide. A. Some long term effects may not show up until later and can include changes in behavior, vision and coordination.

IV. Knowing where and how to detect carbon monoxide is key to preventing exposure. A. Enclosed areas are the most common places where people fall victim to carbon monoxide exposure, but poisoning by this deadly gas can happen outside of enclosed areas as well. 1. Most often when an individual suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning it happens in his or her home. 2. A person’s garage is another common scene for this type of exposure. 3. Exposure can also take place in an open or outside area if one is situated too close to a source emitting carbon monoxide fumes.

V. Early detection of excessive carbon monoxide can be key in avoiding over exposure. A. Detection of carbon monoxide can be difficult due to it not having any odor, color or taste, but there are ways to help you detect this silent killer. 1. Carbon monoxide detectors are a person’s main defense in detection and are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can be very effective as long as consumer’s follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
BODY
I. What is Carbon Monoxide and how is it produced? (David G. Penny stated CO was) A. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is created when there is an incomplete burning of assorted fuels. 1. These fuels can consist of various types, such as natural gas, coal, wood, charcoal, oil, propane and kerosene. B. Equipment with internal combustion engines are a common source of carbon monoxide producers. (Mary 1. These types of engines can be found not only in cars and trucks, but in boats, lawn mowers and generators to name a few. 2. There are propane powered floor buffer/burnishes’ that are indoor tools which may be dangerous if you don’t have proper ventilation 3. Gas powered tools like lawn mowers generators fork lifts and tractors can cause carbon monoxide exposure when used in poorly ventilated areas. 4. Smoke from a fire, including a building fire. II. Who is at increased risk for Carbon Monoxide poisoning? ( EPA suggests that) A. Babies: Babies need more oxygen than adults. They breathe faster and may breathe in more oxygen but unborn babies are especially at risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. B. Older adults: The older you get your body seems to ache and get sore more so than of course when you were younger. You may have more difficulty with Carbon Monoxide as you get older. You may have a medical condition that is made worse with carbon monoxide exposure. C. Pregnant women: You may breath faster during pregnancy. This causes you to breath in more carbon monoxide. D. Smokers: You normally breathe in small amounts of carbon monoxide from the smoke. This increases the amount of carbon monoxide in your body, so you are at higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if you are exposed to another source of carbon monoxide. E. People with medical conditions: Blood vessel disease, Heart disease, etc. F. Certain workers: If you work in construction or agriculture you will more than likely be around equipment or chemicals of some sort that produce carbon monoxide. III. What are the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? A. Immediate signs and systems: You may have any of these systems right after you are exposed to carbon monoxide. 1. Blurred vision, dizziness or a headache. 2. Nausea or vomiting. 3. Faster breathing than normal or trouble breathing. 4. Weakness or muscle pain. 5. Dark or red urine. 6. Chest pain, or a fast, strong, or irregular heartbeat. 7. Confusion, fainting, or seizures. B. Late signs and symptoms: These may be temporary or permanent. You may have any of the following, 2 to 40 days after you are exposed to carbon monoxide. 1. Changes in behavior. 2. Increased anxiety or depression. 3. Tremors or shaking of your fingers or hands. 4. Trouble controlling urine or bowel movements. 5. Trouble thinking clearly or learning new things. 6. Trouble moving, bending your arms or legs, or walking. 7. Difficulty speaking, chewing, or controlling facial muscles. IV. How is Carbon Monoxide poisoning diagnosed? (Henry Brouhard, EMT) A. When you have these systems you will more than likely go to your care giver thinking that you may have the flu, at this point you should report the following: 1. Tell him if anyone you live or work with has similar signs and systems. 2. You should tell him if you use home heating devices that burn gas, oil, wood or other fuel. 3. You may want to tell him/her if you have used gas-powered tools, paints, or varnishes recently. B. After you have given your healthcare provider all of your information, you may need more than one of the following assessments: 1. Neurologic exam: This can show how well your brain works after carbon monoxide exposure. Caregivers will check your pupils, memory, and your balance. 2. Blood gases: This is a blood test that checks the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. It can tell how much carbon monoxide you have been exposed to. 3. Blood tests: This checks your overall health and checks for other problem’s that carbon monoxide poisoning may cause. 4. Breath analyzer: This device measures the amount of carbon monoxide in your breath. You will hold your breath for 15 seconds and then breathe out into the device. 5. Telemetry is continuous monitoring of your heart rhythm. Sticky pads are placed on your skin connected to an EKG machine that records your heart rhythm. V. How is Carbon Monoxide treated? (Gillian DePietro, CRT, The Huffington Post) A. You may need more than one of these treatments: 1. You may need extra oxygen: If your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. The caregiver will probably tell you to wait until an attendant comes back to take off the mask and tubing. 2. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: This is used to get more oxygen into your body. The oxygen is given under pressure to help it get into your tissues and blood. You remain in a room called a hyperbaric chamber during the treatment. 3. Endotracheal (ET) tube: An endotracheal tube may be put into your mouth or nose. It goes down into your windpipe to help into your airway open and help you breathe it may be hooked to a ventilator (breathing machine), and you may get extra oxygen through your endotracheal tube. You will not be able to talk while the endotracheal tube is in place. 4. IV therapy: Liquids are given through an IV to increase your body fluids and blood pressure. VI. What are the risks of Carbon Monoxide poisoning? A. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment may cause ear pain, hearing and eyesight problems, coughing, and chest tightness. Treatment can also cause seizures and lung problems. Even with treatment, your signs and symptoms may come back. You may have trouble thinking or remembering things, tremors or shacking, depression, or anxiety. B. Without treatment, your signs and symptoms may become life-threatening. You may develop heart, lung, or brain problems. Your kidneys may stop working, or you may go into a coma or have a heart attack. VII. When should I seek immediate care? A. Seek care immediately or call 911 if: 1. You have chest pain or an irregular or fast heartbeat. 2. You have trouble breathing or need to breathe faster than normal 3. You faint or have a seizure. 4. You feel weak, have trouble moving, or have severe muscle pain. 5. Your urine becomes dark or red. VIII. Where can you find more information? A. Information is available in your telephone book. 1. Communities in the directory can be found on the first page of the White Page Listings with the Poison Control Center telephone number. 2. American Association of Poison Control Centers web address www.aapcc.org. 3. Environmental Protection Agency. 4. Web address: www.epa.gov. IX. When should I contact my caregiver? A. Contact your care giver if: 1. You feel dizzy. 2. You have a headache or start to vomit. 3. Your eyesight becomes blurred. 4. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. CONCLUSION I. As I said earlier, know what Carbon Monoxide poisoning is? A. When a person breathes in too much carbon monoxide and it replaces the oxygen in your blood. 1. When the oxygen in the bloodstream gets to low it causes cells throughout the body to die, causing organs to stop working, which can then lead to death. II. It is very important that you know the systems of carbon monoxide poisoning? A. There are early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning that you should be aware of to help you identify if you might be getting exposed to this deadly gas. 1. Early symptoms consist of headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath.

III. You should know what carbon monoxide is and what the exposure to carbon monoxide does because there are long term effects. A. Some long term effect may not show up until later and can include changes in behavior, vision and coordination.

IV. Knowing where and how to detect carbon monoxide is key to preventing exposure. A. Enclosed areas are the most common places where people fall victim to carbon monoxide exposure, but poisoning by this deadly gas can happen outside of enclosed areas as well. 1. Most often when an individual suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning it happens in his or her home. 2. A person’s garage is another common scene for this type of exposure. 3. Even though you are outside you can still get carbon monoxide. 4. Learn where to detect carbon monoxide and also how to detect it.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

4. White Pages 5. www.aapcc.org 6. www.epa.gov 7. www.health.state.mn.us 8. www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov