FAQ's

Why do I need a breath alcohol tester? Aren't they just for police?

It is important for public safety that licensed drivers should be able to determine whether they should drive or not, whether at home/with friends (personal breathalyzer) or in a pub/restaurant/bar.

Which breathalyzer model is right for me?

If you want a portable breathalyzer (ladies’ purse, in you pocket or car), you should consider buying a breathalyzer which uses fuel cell sensor technology – such as the BS6000, which ensures a high level of accuracy. If you are in a bar/restaurant/pub or a premises where a vending breathalyzer is available, such as the BS3500, ensure that you ask whether it uses fuel cell sensor technology – these breathalyzers offer the same advanced technology used by law enforcement for preliminary screenings and are affordable, reliable, hygienic, easy to use. Law enforcement, substance abuse centres, clinics and businesses typically use fuel cell sensor models.

Which factors are important in choosing a breathalyzer?
For most models, a user simply blows through the mouthpiece for 3-5 seconds. The breathalyzer will indicate when to start and stop blowing, and whether the sample was adequate for an accurate reading. Use it regularly to build up a broad idea of the way in which you react as each person’s reaction differs from another. Use it to monitor the change in your level of intoxication, rather than looking at a single specific reading. Try to blow steadily and consistently so that each blow can be more or less the same each time.
 
The sensors measure the alcohol level of air in the deep lungs. This value is converted into the corresponding Blood Alcohol Content (%BAC) estimate. Testing is most accurate if subjects have not consumed food or alcohol 15 minutes prior to testing to ensure that there is no residual mouth alcohol. Take 3 tests, each approximately 2 minutes apart, and compare the readings; if one is substantially different to the other two, try once more. When you have three readings that are within a reasonable difference of each other, take an average and wait 30 minutes – then test again. Don’t be surprised if the reading is not exactly the same every time.
I've just blown under the legal limit. It's safe for me to drive home, right?

Absolutely not. There is no acceptable level of alcohol consumption that makes it safe to drive. Any alcohol that enters a person’s body can impair reflexes, motor skills and cognitive abilities.

How does a Breathalyzer Work?

When you drink, alcohol is digested in the stomach and passes through the stomach wall into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream it passes around the body and generates the usual effects of alcohol on the body and brain. As the blood passes through the alveoli in the lungs, oxygen passes into the bloodstream, and so some of the alcohol in your blood “evaporate” into the air in your lungs. It is this alcohol that a Breathalyzer is designed to measure.

How should I use a PERSONAL Breathalyzer?
For most models, a user simply blows through the mouthpiece for 3-5 seconds. The breathalyzer will indicate when to start and stop blowing, and whether the sample was adequate for an accurate reading. Use it regularly to build up a broad idea of the way in which you react as each person’s reaction differs from another. Use it to monitor the change in your level of intoxication, rather than looking at a single specific reading. Try to blow steadily and consistently so that each blow can be more or less the same each time.
 
The sensors measure the alcohol level of air in the deep lungs. This value is converted into the corresponding Blood Alcohol Content (%BAC) estimate. Testing is most accurate if subjects have not consumed food or alcohol 15 minutes prior to testing to ensure that there is no residual mouth alcohol. Take 3 tests, each approximately 2 minutes apart, and compare the readings; if one is substantially different to the other two, try once more. When you have three readings that are within a reasonable difference of each other, take an average and wait 30 minutes – then test again. Don’t be surprised if the reading is not exactly the same every time.
Why must I wait 15 minutes after consuming food or alcohol to ensure testing results are accurate?

A breathalyzer is able to calculate this percentage using only a breath sample because of the precise relationship between alcohol in the blood and alcohol metabolized into the lungs from the bloodstream. As such, it is important to make sure the mouth is clear of contaminant (including alcohol) so that the breath sample contains pure lung air, or as close as possible.

What is BAC?

Blood Alcohol Content or Blood Alcohol Concentration, abbreviated BAC, is the concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood. For example, a BAC of 0.05% means 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 grams of a person’s blood, or 0.5 grams of alcohol per 1000 grams of blood.

Is a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) the only factor in determining whether or not that person is Driving Under the Influence?

No, the %BAC is not the only factor considered. Many people do not realize they can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) even if their %BAC is under the legal limit. A person can be charged if they are at or over the “legal limit,” regardless of the %BAC level.

Who invented the breathalyzer?

Though technologies for detecting alcohol vary, it’s widely accepted that Dr. Robert Borkenstein (1912-2002), a captain with the Indiana State Police and later a professor at the University of Indiana, is regarded as the first to create a device that measures a subject’s alcohol level based on a breath sample. In 1954, Borkenstein invented his breathalyzer, that used chemical oxidation and photometry to determine alcohol concentration. The invention of the breathalyzer provided law enforcement with a non-invasive test with immediate result reporting that can be used to determine an individual’s level of intoxication.

How can I order ADDITIONAL MOUTHPIECES for my breathalyzer? Do I need to replace the mouthpiece after every test?

Yes, you can. Contact us to order mouthpieces and other supplies. Replacing the mouthpiece after each test is optional if you are testing yourself. For professional testing and screening, it is recommended to change the mouthpiece after each test for safety and performance reasons.

How does a breathalyzer help the community?

It is important for public safety that licensed drivers should be able to determine whether they should drive or not, whether at home/with friends (personal breathalyzer) or in a pub/restaurant/bar.

How does breathalyzers help the police?

Police officers use some of the latest technology to detect alcohol levels in suspected drunken drivers and remove them from the streets. Many rely on handheld breathalyzers to determine the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in drunken-driving suspects.