LittleSister
Well-Known Member
I was interested to read the following in an American equivalent to one of our MAIB accident investigations (found on offshore blue.com).
I hadn't been aware of the various adverse effects on vision.
I'd be interested to know how the levels listed related to the UK driving limit (which uses mg/ml rather than the percentages used in this report).
"Effects of Alcohol Use in Recreational Boating4
Behavioral research indicates that certain sensory functions and the ability to respond adequately to situations encountered in recreational boating can be affected by consumption of even small amounts of alcohol. BACs [Blood alcohol concentrations]ranging from as low as 0.01 to 0.04 percent (roughly equivalent to two beers) can degrade a persons’ ability to do the following:
1. Discern faint lights or objects at night,
2. Notice objects just outside the direct line of sight,
3. Respond to a constantly changing stimulus, and
4. Select a response based on the nature of the stimulus.
Highly qualified boat operators begin to suffer measurable impairment at BAC levels of 0.035 percent. It takes longer to process information, such as recognizing whether a potentially dangerous situation is developing with another vessel and then deciding how to avoid an accident. At such BAC levels a person’s nocturnal vision will be more affected by glare from lights including boat navigation lights, shore lights, and even moonlight.
At BAC levels of 0.05 to 0.06 percent a person typically senses elation, becomes more talkative, and experiences increased self-confidence. Judgment is also slightly impaired. At BACs of 0.07 to 0.08 percent, a person might exhibit rambling speech, increased self-confidence, decreased inhibitions, and impaired sensory responses. At BACs of 0.09 to 0.10 percent a person might become emotional and excited. There might also be a further increase in self-confidence and a decrease in inhibitions, as well as a likely impairment of muscular coordination.
At BAC levels of 0.15 percent there will be definite impairment of balance and movement, a significant decrease in inhibition and an increase in self-confidence. Judgment and the ability to make rational decisions will be also be significantly degraded, which can lead to unacceptable risk taking. At BACs of 0.20 percent there will be considerable impairment of balance and the ability to control body movements. A person will normally exhibit slurred speech, staggering, and an inability to focus (in some cases, double vision). Individuals will likely also be incapable of safely and effectively conducting tasks such as operating machinery, driving vehicles, or operating boats.
4 A. James McKnight, Gordon S. Smith, Paul R. Marques, and James E. Lange, The Effects of Alcohol Upon Human Functioning in Recreational Boating, National Public Services Research Institute (Landover, MD: December 29, 1994)."
I hadn't been aware of the various adverse effects on vision.
I'd be interested to know how the levels listed related to the UK driving limit (which uses mg/ml rather than the percentages used in this report).
"Effects of Alcohol Use in Recreational Boating4
Behavioral research indicates that certain sensory functions and the ability to respond adequately to situations encountered in recreational boating can be affected by consumption of even small amounts of alcohol. BACs [Blood alcohol concentrations]ranging from as low as 0.01 to 0.04 percent (roughly equivalent to two beers) can degrade a persons’ ability to do the following:
1. Discern faint lights or objects at night,
2. Notice objects just outside the direct line of sight,
3. Respond to a constantly changing stimulus, and
4. Select a response based on the nature of the stimulus.
Highly qualified boat operators begin to suffer measurable impairment at BAC levels of 0.035 percent. It takes longer to process information, such as recognizing whether a potentially dangerous situation is developing with another vessel and then deciding how to avoid an accident. At such BAC levels a person’s nocturnal vision will be more affected by glare from lights including boat navigation lights, shore lights, and even moonlight.
At BAC levels of 0.05 to 0.06 percent a person typically senses elation, becomes more talkative, and experiences increased self-confidence. Judgment is also slightly impaired. At BACs of 0.07 to 0.08 percent, a person might exhibit rambling speech, increased self-confidence, decreased inhibitions, and impaired sensory responses. At BACs of 0.09 to 0.10 percent a person might become emotional and excited. There might also be a further increase in self-confidence and a decrease in inhibitions, as well as a likely impairment of muscular coordination.
At BAC levels of 0.15 percent there will be definite impairment of balance and movement, a significant decrease in inhibition and an increase in self-confidence. Judgment and the ability to make rational decisions will be also be significantly degraded, which can lead to unacceptable risk taking. At BACs of 0.20 percent there will be considerable impairment of balance and the ability to control body movements. A person will normally exhibit slurred speech, staggering, and an inability to focus (in some cases, double vision). Individuals will likely also be incapable of safely and effectively conducting tasks such as operating machinery, driving vehicles, or operating boats.
4 A. James McKnight, Gordon S. Smith, Paul R. Marques, and James E. Lange, The Effects of Alcohol Upon Human Functioning in Recreational Boating, National Public Services Research Institute (Landover, MD: December 29, 1994)."
