Can You Buy Breathalyzers at BIG W?
25 January, 2023
Breathalyzers are handy devices to measure the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or amount of alcohol in the body. They are available for commercial purchases to help individuals monitor alcohol consumption and prevent severe intoxication. Many look for breathalyzers online and in retail outlets nationwide. Unfortunately, there are no selections for breathalyzers at BIG W, the country’s leading discount store. For more comprehensive selections, you may view the BACtrack devices at Breathalysers Australia.
Personal breathalyzers have become widely available as the technology develops and the costs decrease. They are helpful tools to determine if a person has reached the legal alcohol limit for driving. Thus, it helps deter drink driving among consumers and reduces car crashes and other road incidents. Alcohol intoxication poses significant health problems and safety hazards on the road. This article will cover blood alcohol levels, how breathalyzers work, and how to operate the device for accurate results.
Breathalyzers at BIG W – Blood Alcohol Levels
Different individuals will have varying tolerance and reactions to alcohol. This is because many factors affect blood alcohol levels and how the body absorbs the substance. After ingestion, alcohol enters the bloodstream, reaching various organs within minutes. As a result, the person feels an altered mood and behaviour in moderate amounts. However, it causes severe impairment in senses, perception, and motor functions at higher levels. Thus, many look for a breathalyzer at BIG W and other stores.
On an empty stomach, alcohol peaks approximately one hour after consumption and declines gradually in succeeding hours. Moreover, the liver can metabolize ethanol by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) at a steady rate of 0.016% BAC per hour. Therefore, it takes a longer time to regain sobriety or for the BAC to return to zero. Thus, the more a person consumes alcohol, the longer alcohol stays in the system.
A breathalyzer can detect alcohol for up to 12-24 hours from the last intake. Furthermore, these are the same devices police officers use in roadside screening. Devices with pro-grade accuracy, like BACtrack fuel cell sensors, can deliver precise BAC readings close to police breathalyzers. If you cannot find an affordable breathalyzer at BIG W, you may find a wide range at Breathalysers Australia at varying price levels.
The Factors that Affect BAC
- Body composition – individuals of shorter stature and higher body fat content absorb alcohol more quickly.
- Food and hydration levels – a full stomach and proper hydration slow down absorption and lessen intoxication.
- Medications – some medications may interact with alcohol and cause high BAC.
- Alcohol percentage in a drink and rate of consumption.
Breathalyzers at BIG W – How Breathalyzers Work
Breathalyzers use sensor technologies to measure alcohol content in a single breath. They work by undergoing a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with alcohol. The device produces small electrical currents in proportion to the amount of alcohol in the blood and converts it into the BAC value. Furthermore, personal devices utilize two kinds – semiconductor and fuel cell sensors. Semiconductor testers are relatively cheaper; hence, many searches for affordable breathalyzers at BIG W.
Semiconductor breathalyzers are suitable for low-volume testing, such as monitoring alcohol use at home. However, individuals relying on accuracy may use fuel cell breathalyzers. The sensors use an electrochemical process to oxidize ethanol in the breath sample. In addition, they only react to ethanol and not to other substances like acetone. Therefore, it will not interfere with the BAC results of people with diabetes. Likewise, it has a lower occurrence of false positives.
Breathalyzers analyze the breath sample and display the results in seconds. Thus, it can give real-time updates on the BAC levels. Moreover, it does not require a professional to facilitate alcohol breath tests nor confirm the results with laboratory examination. Devices like BACtrack have a one-touch operation to enable immediate testing. Since breathalyzers at BIG W are not available, you may purchase BACtrack directly at Breathalysers Australia.
How to Conduct a Breath Test
- Activate the sensors with the power button
- Take a deep breath and exhale continuously until the beeping sound ends
- Allow the device to process the breath sample
- The device will display the estimated BAC within 10 to 15 seconds
- An error message will notify the user if the sample is inadequate
Breathalyzers at BIG W – How to Choose a Device
The sensor type or accuracy is the primary consideration for choosing a breathalyzer at BIG W or anywhere. Semiconductor and fuel cell breathalyzers vary significantly in performance, including stability and consistency of results. For instance, the BAC readings do not fluctuate in repeat tests done by fuel cell breathalyzers. In addition, it has a more extended period for recalibration than semiconductor sensors. Lastly, pro-grade devices can trace alcohol concentrations over a complete BAC range, increasing their precision.
Some breathalyzers offer innovative features, such as Bluetooth connection, to enable seamless pairing with a smartphone. Devices like the BACtrack C6, C8, and Mobile Pro connect to a smartphone to allow BAC viewing directly on the mobile phone. Moreover, the BACtrack app can record and track the BAC in a graph to show consumption habits over time. Lastly, it has the patented ZeroLine technology, which quickly estimates when the BAC will return to 0.00%.
Aside from accuracy and functions, people also consider the cost, style, ease of operation, and frequency of use. Individuals looking for a breathalyzer at BIG W or BAU based on their testing needs, such as how often they will need to use the device. For instance, semiconductor breathalyzers are suitable for home use, while fuel cell sensors are ideal for moderate to heavy applications. Additionally, you may choose a device with certification, like Australian Standards and FDA compliance.
Summary of Breathalyzer Essential Features
- Ease of use – most breathalyzers can be operated with a single button press with a quick warm-up time
- Sensor accuracy – fuel cell breathalyzers are more accurate and reliable
- Breath capture system – some breathalyzers have a breath pump that aids in precise breath sampling
- Extra features – additional functions like Bluetooth connection increase efficiency
Conclusion
People buy a breathalyzer for everyday use. They are available in various online stores like Amazon. In addition, many look for a breathalyzer at BIG W to see if there are affordable personal devices. However, alcohol breath testers are not available in BIG W stores. Alternatively, people can buy a reliable device at Breathalysers Australia with varying features and prices. Personal breathalyzers help consumers efficiently monitor their alcohol consumption to avoid high intoxication.
The emergence of breathalyzers is essential for keeping roads and workplaces safe. With the growing accessibility of technology, people can purchase a personal monitoring device to help avoid accidents and drink driving charges. Therefore, individuals have access to accurate BAC readings and help avoid trouble during a roadside breath inspection. In conclusion, breathalyzers are cost-efficient and reliable tools for BAC checking. It can also help employees monitor their alcohol content before going to work.
