SGT. 1ST CLASS RYAN DE VRIES
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
210th Brigade Support Battalion
Fort Drum, New York
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
"Someone shut up that alarm,” the sergeant yelled. “We need to get this chow ready now!”
BEEP! BEEP! BEE ...
"I took care of it, sergeant,” the private replied. “I wonder why it was even beeping. There isn’t any smoke to set it off.”
"Just keep an eye out for smoke or fire,” the sergeant said. “We don't need that alarm anyway.”
The Soldiers in the containerized kitchen (CK) continued to prepare food without giving the alarm another thought. After all, why would it go off if there was no smoke or fire? Fast forward 30 minutes, and there is a mass casualty event at the Role 2. Eight Soldiers arrive complaining of headaches, nausea, dizziness and breathing difficulties. Seven of those are immediately evacuated to higher levels of care to combat the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is the perfect killer — you can't see it, you can’t smell it and you can’t taste it. The burners in your CK, the heaters in your tents and the generators throughout the FOB all produce CO. Without proper ventilation, the gas builds up. That annoying alarm the private switched off wasn't a malfunction; it was a warning that the air inside the CK was turning toxic. Ignoring the alarm rather than evacuating the kitchen or investigating what activated it could have gotten every one of those Soldiers killed. Luckily, they were awake and recognized the symptoms before it was too late. Had they been sleeping in their tents, they might never have woken up.
Do you think a situation like this couldn’t happen to you? Think again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that CO poisoning is responsible for more than 400 deaths and over 100,000 emergency room visits each year in the United States. It’s a real threat that can take Soldiers out of the fight just as quickly as the enemy.
Your CO battle drill
You wouldn't go into a fight without first checking your weapon, vehicle or aircraft, so why would you work inside an enclosed space without checking your detectors? Here are some tips to help keep you safe from CO poisoning:
- Pre-combat checks and inspections. This is non-negotiable. Your CO detectors should be inspected during preventive maintenance checks and services, before packing out for the field or a deployment, after setup and at regular intervals on longer missions. Make this a part of your routine, just like checking your vehicle’s oil or tire pressure before a convoy movement.
- Know the red flags. Carbon monoxide poisoning feels a lot like the flu, being drunk or just feeling exhausted. If you or your battle buddies experience symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath or confusion — especially multiple people at the same time — don't ignore it.
- When the alarm sounds. A beeping CO detector is your signal to act, not to get annoyed. When the alarm sounds, get everyone out of the enclosure immediately and into fresh air. Once outside, do a quick headcount to ensure no one is still inside. Let your leadership know what's happening and do not go back inside until the space has been cleared by professionals.
As leaders, it's our responsibility to arm our Soldiers with the knowledge that allows them to stay in the fight. As a Soldier, it's your job to look out for your battle buddies. Ensuring your CO detectors work and knowing what to do when they scream at you unexpectedly isn't just about safety — it's about keeping your unit lethal and ready. Don't let the silent killer thin your ranks.