People consume alcohol daily for various reasons and in different social and cultural contexts. Responsible consumers drink in moderation to balance the effects of alcohol and personal safety. At a moderate level, alcohol can uplift the mood and be enjoyed with peers. Unfortunately, a substantial proportion consumes more than the recommended daily amount of alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of long-term health conditions, as well as endangers lives with the impairments it brings. Alcohol consumption is also associated with motor vehicle crashes and workplace accidents. Regardless of your intake, it is imperative to check your alcohol leaving before leaving and driving. A personal breathalyser comes in handy to estimate the blood alcohol content (BAC) after consumption. The BACtrack T60 is a dependable device that can perform BAC tests quickly and efficiently. You can find BACtrack devices at Breathalysers Australia.
Alcohol Effects on the Body
When alcohol is consumed, it is not digested like food. It goes straight into the stomach and moves to the small intestines and the bloodstream. The blood carries alcohol to different body organs such as the brain, lungs, and liver. The blood circulates through the body in 90 seconds, affecting the organs in the least amount of time. The effects can be immediately felt within 15 to 20 minutes from consumption. Alcohol impairs the senses, perception, and motor functions at varying degrees. The effects include blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of balance, uncoordinated movement, and slow reaction time. High impairment has negative consequences, especially in operating a motor vehicle. It is one of the leading factors of road crashes every year. In line with this, a breathalyser like the BACtrack T60 can be valuable tool for minimising road hazards and legal charges.
Factors Affecting the BAC
There are many factors affecting the increase of BAC. The BAC is the amount of alcohol in the system and it can determine your intoxication level. While the body absorbs alcohol rapidly, it metabolises at an average rate of 0.15g/100ml or 0.015 BAC per hour. Portions of alcohol exit the body through urine, sweat, or breath. The BACtrack T60 is a device for estimating the BAC through an exhaled breath. The breathalyser captures alcohol from the alveoli air (or deep lung air) through exhalation for analysis. It undergoes an oxidisation process to estimate the BAC level. The main factors that can impact the alcohol concentration in your body are:
- Weight
- Gender
- Age
- Body fat
- Food intake
- Metabolism rate
Features of the BACtrack T60
The BACtrack T60 employs the largest MicroCheck sensor technology to measure the BAC accurately. The advanced MicroCheck sensor uses a tin-oxide compound to produce a redox reaction. The process creates a current based on the alcohol concentration and converts it into BAC. Additionally, the semiconductor sensors go through a patented burn-in process that equalises the response for more accurate results. The BACtrack MicroCheck sensors deliver more reliable BAC results than the standard semiconductor breathalysers. Furthermore, the BACtrack T60 features a fold-out mouthpiece to secure when not in use. The fold-out mouthpiece ensures that a precise breath sample goes through the device and keeps out ambient air. As a result, it delivers accurate BAC readings.
Operating the BACtrack T60
The BACtrack T60 has a user-friendly system for convenient use. Like most alcohol testers at Breathalysers Australia, the BACtrack T60 has an efficient one-button operation. Power on the device and the countdown timer will begin immediately. The countdown timer indicates that the sensors are warming up. Once ready, take a deep breath and give a strong blow into the device. Keep blowing until you hear the beeping stop. The sensors analyse the breath sample and display the BAC results in the large LED screen in 10 to 15 seconds. The breathalyser comes with an optional mouthpiece that you can use to share with a friend. Additionally, the device is compact and is easy to carry around in your pocket or purse.
To ensure accuracy, follow the proper guidelines in using the BACtrack T60 breathalyser. It is important to wait for at least 15 minutes after eating, drinking, or smoking before testing the device. This gives time for the body to absorb alcohol while minimising other substances to affect the breath test. Also, avoid testing in an area where there are strong winds, fumes or large amounts of alcohol being consumed. Do not use mouthwash, breath spray, or mint gums before testing to avoid inaccurate BAC results. Additionally, do not blow smoke or liquids as it may damage the sensors. Keep the sensors clean and optimal by using them at least once a month. This is because the sensors tend to dry up for an extended period (3 weeks or more) when not in use. The BACtrack T60 is suitable for detecting alcohol and for personal and home use.
Drink Driving Charges in Australia
Users find the ease of use of the BACtrack T60 convenient for alcohol breath testing. It is a great device to monitor the alcohol level while consuming alcohol. In addition, it gives reliable and accurate BAC readings to keep safe while driving. The breathalyser delivers consistent BAC results compared to other semiconductor breathalysers. Checking the BAC is essential to avoid drink driving or road mishaps. In Australia, driving with a high BAC level is subject to criminal charges and penalties. The driving limit for alcohol is 0.05% BAC or 0.05g of alcohol in every 100ml of blood. Different alcoholic beverages have different concentrations. Through a personal breathalyser, you can efficiently determine your BAC level. For instance, if your BAC is high, you can tone down your intake or stop altogether and wait for your BAC to decrease. You may acquire these penalties if you are charged with drink driving:
- Hefty fines
- License confiscation
- Ignition interlock
- Vehicle confiscation
The BACtrack T60 and Beyond
Breathalysers Australia has a wide range of alcohol breath testers for personal or professional use. A similar breathalyser to the BACtrack T60 is the BACtrack Go Keychain. The BACtrack Go also utilises the MicroCheck sensor technology and innovative fold-out mouthpiece to provide accurate and reliable results. In addition, it has a specially tuned algorithm to enhance precision. It comes with a key holder to attach keys and is easy to carry around. For direct and easy access to your alcohol level, the BACtrack T60 and Go Keychain are the go-to devices. They are cost-practival, giving the highest breath test validity at their value.
You may also check other BACtrack devices at Breathalysers Australia. Breathalysers Australia offers smartphone breathalysers, workplace testers, and pro-grade breathalysers. In particular, the BACtrack C8 Smartphone and Mobile Pro are devices with Bluetooth connectivity. The devices pair with a smartphone app through Bluetooth for a more seamless breath testing experience. They have ZeroLine technology which quickly estimates how long your BAC will return to 0.00%. Meanwhile, the BACtrack’s Pro series utilise the Xtend fuel cell sensors for the most accurate BAC tests. The BACtrack S80, Trace Pro, Mobile Pro fuel cell sensors have police-grade accuracy, the same technology you can find in a police breathalyser. They are ideal for professional settings or high-volume applications. Whether you get the BACtrack T60 or other BACtrack breathalysers, you can ensure the most dependable breath tests.