However, as one expert said, people have died from sleeping in cars with the air conditioning on. So you never do this foolish thing, you can die in less than 1 hour, according to the newspaper Gulf News (UAE).
At first glance, turn on the air conditioner and turn on the music, the car seems like an ideal place to take a nap
Dr. Babu Shershad from First Medical Center (Dubai, UAE) will explain this well.
1. Why can sleeping in a car with the engine turned on and the air conditioner on can suffocate?
If the car's mechanical functions are not up to standard, the possibility of car exhaust leaking into the vehicle during sleep can increase the risk of suffocation as it will reduce the oxygen level inside the car.
However, the main thing to watch out for is that a build-up of carbon monoxide (CO) can be caused by a leak from the exhaust.
CO is a toxic gas to the blood, an increase in CO levels in a vehicle can actually reduce the amount of oxygen entering the blood, as CO binds to red blood cells and takes the place of oxygen.
This leads to the blood carrying more CO, and the lack of oxygen causes suffocation, eventually leading to shock or, seriously, death.
Even in the case of a car with a well-functioning air conditioning system, air circulation in a small space can be affected. Even with air circulating in and out of the vehicle, it's still not enough for a person to breathe in an enclosed space, according to Gulf News.
Is it safe to roll down the car window?
Another common misconception many people have is that lowering the windows will allow adequate ventilation in the car. Dr Shershad said: “Even with the windows down, CO still accumulates at a lower level, which over a period of time reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and causes the sleeper to lose water and fluids in the body. according to Gulf News.
Why is it possible to stay awake in the car but not be able to sleep?
The answer is that if you are awake, you will feel suffocated and act immediately. But when you sleep, you will hardly recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning.
Doctors advise drivers to sleep in cars only in emergencies and to always take short breaks out of the car when driving for long periods of time.
2. How do I know if I have CO poisoning?
Signs and symptoms of CO poisoning can include: Headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, seizures, coma, according to the leaflet. Says (Malaysia) citing sources from the Malaysian Ministry of Health,
The longer the gas is inhaled, the more severe the symptoms will be.
Furthermore, loss of consciousness can be short-lived if there is a lot of CO in the air.
A sane person can recognize these symptoms and take immediate action.
However, the danger of sleeping in a car is that sleepers can die in their sleep from CO poisoning without even having symptoms.
3. What can be done to prevent CO poisoning?
Because CO cannot be seen or smelled, it is best to avoid exposure in the first place.
CO binds to red blood cells and takes the place of oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen in the blood
To protect yourself from CO poisoning, you should:
Regularly check and observe the car exhaust system. Leaks in the exhaust system can allow CO to enter the vehicle.
– Always have your car repaired, even after a minor accident. Any damage or holes in the vehicle can allow a lot of smoke to enter the vehicle.
– Never start a vehicle parked in an enclosed area. Even with a window or garage door open, CO can reach dangerous levels in the vehicle.
Installing a CO detector in your vehicle is the safest way.
Last and most importantly, of course, don't sleep in a car with the engine running and the air conditioning on Says.
