breathalysers-australia transparent logo
truck-icon-red-banner

Same day local dispatch

australia-icon-red-banner

Australian owned

Breathalysers

1-3 year warranty

breathalyser

Australia's industry specialist

Single Use Breathalyser – Is it Accurate?

17 October, 2023

A woman drinking a glass of beer

The development of breathalysers presents several benefits. It contributes to the safety of individuals, organisations, and to the whole community. However, other people may not find it accessible due to its price, maintenance for calibration, or hygienic factors. Thus, some may prefer to use a single use breathalyser. It works like a normal breath tester but is disposable after use. What makes them accurate is their pre-calibrated nature, allowing them to provide a close estimation of  Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).

There are many different methods to assess people’s alcohol consumption. Hence, most people opt for a breathalyser as it is non-invasive and can give prompt results. A breath tester is a tool that monitors and calculates the BAC level of a person. Therefore, it helps to identify people who are in a state of intoxication. This article will present the method, accuracy, and the procedures for using a breathalyser.

What is a Single Use Breathalyser

A single use breathalyser is a portable tool to monitor the presence of alcohol in the system. Accordingly, this tests the breath sample of an individual and provides the measurement of the BAC level. It functions like a normal breathalyser device; however, it is designed for one-time use. Consequently, most people use this as a more hygienic and less invasive approach to identify alcohol consumption.

The disposable breathalyser is a plastic tube that has indicator agents. This testing factor reacts whenever it detects alcoholic substances in the breath. With such a process, the method is highly beneficial for people who want to check their alcohol concentration levels. The type of breathalyser aids individuals who need to check their BAC before doing a certain activity.

There have been many cases of accidents and injuries caused by alcohol impairment. Thus, it is vital to have a disposable breath tester for urgent situations. This can effectively determine if a person is suitable for a task such as driving, working, or handling sensitive duties. Nevertheless, the approach promotes responsible and safe drinking.

Benefits

The following are the benefits of using a disposable breath tester:

  • A breathalyser is a convenient and quick option to monitor BAC level.
  • The breath tester offers a prompt result, usually within two minutes.
  • It is more affordable and is pre-calibrated than other kinds of breathalyser devices.
  • This promotes self-awareness in the consideration of alcohol consumption.
  • The tool encourages proper hygiene as it is only used once.
  • People can rapidly know if they can drive or are suitable to do a certain activity.
  • Law enforcement and organisations can monitor if an individual is under the influence of alcohol.

A male enforcer assessing a woman driver

Is Single Use Breathalyser Accurate

A crucial factor in any testing procedure is the reliability of the result. A false or inaccurate assessment can lead to improper decisions that can cause accidents, injuries, and damages. Fortunately, the single use breathalyser has proven its accuracy due to many factors. Firstly, the testing tools have the validation and authentication of the medical field and authorities.

Secondly, the breath tester can provide a reasonable estimate of the BAC levels. It relies on the volatility of alcohol to be mixed with lung air. Moreover, the disposable tester has a margin of error. This contributes to the accuracy as it includes factors such as temperature and other environmental conditions. Thus, it provides a more precise BAC measurement.

Additionally, the proper utilisation of the device enhances reliability. Knowing the right process and how to conduct the testing is vital to have an accurate result. An individual must make sure to wait for a certain period before administering a breath test. This will give the body the time to process alcohol.

Factors That Can Affect Result

It is important to know the factors that can affect the testing result. Firstly, the time passes since the last drink can influence the outcome of the disposable tester. Thus, it may show a higher BAC level if a person drinks recently. Secondly, some substances that may reflect on the breath can affect the result. This can be a stronger alcohol or foods.

Also, environmental factors such as low or high temperatures, moisture, or air can impact the result of the test. Accordingly, it is important to check the surroundings and the condition of the testing unit before conducting the test.

A police officer stopping a truck for an alcohol test

Procedures in Using a Single Use Breathalyser

For an accurate result from a single use breathalyser, following the necessary procedures is vital. Firstly, read and understand the manual given by the manufacturer. This will help in providing specific details about how to use the tool. Secondly, check the condition of the tester. Some disposable breathalysers have an average expiration of one year. Then, wait for 15 to 20 minutes after drinking to begin the test.

Also, it is advisable to abstain from drinking, eating, or smoking during the waiting period. This is to ensure that no other factors will influence the accuracy of the result. Afterwards, the person may continue with the actual testing. The process usually includes the individual blowing in the tube. It is vital to follow instructions on how to and how long to blow.

Subsequently, when the breath tester detects alcohol, the agents inside will change colour depending on the BAC level. Wait for two to five minutes to ensure the right measurement of alcohol consumption. When the result is high, make sure to take necessary actions to prevent any adverse effects from happening.

Legal BAC Limit

Recognising the legal BAC limit is important in order to determine if a person is still suitable to do a certain task. This threshold provides a tolerable BAC level, especially when driving. The general alcohol limit in Australia is 0.05%. This means that when an individual exceeds that, they are not allowed to drive, or they will face legal charges.

In some situations or job roles, the legal BAC limit is 0.00 to 0.02%. These are usually for truck drivers, public transportation operators, or those who work in safety-critical environments. It has a more restricted limit to ensure safety and prevent accidents.

Conclusion

The application of a single use breathalyser holds a great approach to monitoring the presence of alcohol. It provides a more accessible, hygienic, and affordable method to determine if a person is under the influence of alcohol. Also, it is a reliable tool that can give a reliable and dependable result. The breath tester is easy to use, pre-calibrated, and maintains a margin of error.

Overall, it is necessary to recognise the proper procedure for taking the test. Thus, it is vital to read the user manual and take the appropriate preparation for the test. Make sure to blow in the tester properly and wait for a certain time to have accurate results. Nevertheless, it is equally important to know the factors that can influence the outcome of the test. Finally, understand the legal BAC limits to prevent any adverse effects from happening.

0
    Shopping Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
      Calculate Shipping
      Shipping options will be updated during checkout.

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Is Device Size Important?

      Is Device Size Important?

      Is Device Size Important?

      Driving Restrictions? (P Platers, Zero Tolerance etc)

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Key Benefits

      Your Perfect Match

      Key Benefits

      A woman drinking a glass of beer

      Would you like extra mouthpieces?

      Your Perfect Match

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      You may be interested in…

      Thank you for registering your breathalyser.

      Our system will now automatically send you a notification when your calibration is due.

      Your Perfect Match

      Also Recommended

      Why upgrade?

      Are you Testing Employees?