The BACtrack Select Guideline

Monitoring alcohol levels is possible thanks to portable breath-testing devices or breathalysers. Individuals can use a breathalyser or alcohol tester similar to what police officers use for checking their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). The BACtrack Select is among the first breathalyser to come out for personal use. This way, they can know how intoxicated they are and make informed decisions before an incident occurs. Thus, it helps deter drink driving and other consequences associated with alcohol intoxication. 

Alcohol impairment is one of the leading factors of road trauma. Therefore, strict safety measures are implemented to reduce drink driving incidents. The essential thing a person has to know before driving is their BAC level. The most efficient way to determine the BAC is through a breathalyser device. This article will talk about the personal breathalysers of BACtrack, their features, and their applications.  

What Are The BACtrack Select?

The first breath testers were intended for law enforcement use. Police officers administer roadside alcohol screening to check drivers’ alcohol levels. If a person exceeds the legal limit (0.05% BAC), they are penalised for drink driving charges. The penalties include fines, license suspension, imprisonment, or an alcohol interlock. Fortunately, breathalysers like the BACtrack Select become more accessible as the technology improves and costs decrease. 

Many personal breathalysers use low-cost semiconductor sensors; however, they can be unstable if not correctly used. On the other hand, some of the first personal ranges of BACtrack are S50, S70, S78, and S75. These breathalysers are incredibly portable, fitting in the palm. Thus, they are easy to carry around and use anytime. Moreover, they use fuel cell sensors that accurately estimate the BAC level. It is also the same technology used in roadside screening and hospitals.

The fuel cell sensors of the BACtrack Select deliver accurate BAC readings close to police breathalysers. Furthermore, technological advancements enable BACtrack to improve breathalyser performance and address initial issues. Newer versions like the BACtrack S80 Pro undergo rigorous tests to ensure consistency and precision. The tests include checking sensor accuracy, ease of use and breath flow patterns. The results closely match with the gold standard police-grade unit, the DataMaster. 

Advantages of Personal Breathalysers

• Help people obtain dependable results rather than relying on guess estimates or online BAC calculators.
• Non-invasive and cost-efficient than urine or saliva tests.
• Give real-time updates on the BAC.
• It can be used repeatedly for BAC monitoring.
• Replaceable mouthpieces for sharing with others.
• Portable and easy to use.

BACtrack Select: The BACtrack S80 Pro

The S80 is the upgraded version of the earlier BACtrack Select models. It utilises the powerful Xtend fuel cell sensor to give unparalleled precision from a personal device. Unlike semiconductor sensors, fuel cell sensors are highly specific to ethanol and do not react to other compounds or gases. Therefore, it is less likely to produce false positives. In particular, it will not interfere with the results of people with diabetes or on a low-carbohydrate diet with high ketones. 

Furthermore, fuel cell sensors remain stable in repeat testing. For example, it gives consistent outcomes in consecutive tests. It also has a short waiting time before using it again. The BACtrack S80 features a one-touch operation, allowing breath testing in seconds. After pressing the power button, the device initiates a countdown timer as the sensors warm up. Then, a person can provide a breath sample upon the blow signal. 

Individuals can also avail of the current BACtrack Select or Pro series from Breathalysers Australia, such as Mobile Pro, Scout, or Trace Pro. The BACtrack Mobile Pro is a smartphone breathalyser with Bluetooth connectivity to pair with iOS or Android devices. It syncs with the BACtrack companion app to deliver the BAC results directly on the smartphone. In addition, the Scout and Trace Pro have a slim and understated design for enhanced portability.

Key Features of BACtrack Breathalysers

The BACtrack S80 stands out from its counterparts due to the following features:

• One-touch operation
• Optimal breath capture system – an internal pump to draw out deep lung air
• 4-digit display – precise BAC results
• Enhanced linear accuracy – traces small amounts of alcohol
• Adjustable settings – customisable blow time and strength settings depending on one’s needs

BACtrack Select: Breathalyser Applications

The BACtrack Select intends to make people more responsible with their alcohol consumption. Since they are more affordable, regular consumers can use them to avoid high intoxication when going out. Awareness of their BAC helps keep people from being severely impaired or driving with a high BAC level. Moreover, individuals can use a breathalyser every hour to monitor the decline of their BAC. Conveniently, the BACtrack Mobile Pro has ZeroLine technology which estimates sobriety return based on the last drink.

Breathalysers are also valuable for workplace use. Alcohol monitoring is standard in high-risk industries to minimise safety hazards or prevent accidents. This is because alcohol-related injuries account for many workplace incidents. It can also lead to low productivity, poor work results, high absenteeism, and problematic behaviours without regular monitoring. Hence, companies use professional-grade devices to ascertain accurate results. The BACtrack fuel cell breathalysers are suitable for moderate to high-volume use. 

The BACtrack Select breathalysers are widely used in pre-employment, post-incident, or reasonable suspicion instances. Pre-employment tests help reveal if a job candidate has potentially unsafe alcohol behaviour. Likewise, it is vital to test employees to see if alcohol use contributed to an accident. On the other hand, employers may request a breathalyser test if a person displays signs of intoxication or impairment, such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and uncoordinated movements. 

Usage Guidelines of Breathalysers

The following guidelines help ensure accurate BAC results:

• Wait for 15 to 20 minutes after eating, smoking, or drinking before using a breathalyser
• Take a deep breath and blow steadily when providing a breath sample
• Avoid spitting into the mouthpiece to avoid damage to the sensors
• Ensure the device is regularly recalibrated

Conclusion

The BACtrack Select breathalysers are the first pro-grade alcohol testers for personal use. It provides individuals with a handy and reliable tool to monitor alcohol intake to prevent high intoxication or impairment. Therefore, it significantly helps reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents on the road or at work. The BACtrack S80 Pro is a premier breathalyser with police-grade accuracy to deliver precise BAC readings. Therefore, consumers, healthcare institutions, and workplaces trust the S80 Pro.

Breathalysers prove to be a valuable investment when it comes to health and safety. People can use them conveniently with easy-to-use functions and give results within seconds. Furthermore, they promote better alcohol awareness, especially on how alcohol affects the body. In road safety, small alcohol contents are considered a hazard. Therefore, using a monitoring tool is better than relying on second guesses or assumptions about one’s driving capability.