Unlike carbon monoxide (toxic) or excess nitrogen (i.e., not enough oxygen), an elevated level of CO2 triggers a breathing reflex (feeling of suffocation) that would be hard to ignore. (Not necessarily true with infants, though, according to one Web site). That's why holding your breath for a couple of minutes is difficult. Does that make dry ice safe in a boat cabin? Good question. David Fann On 11/7/03 9:22 AM, "chbenneck@juno.com" <chbenneck@juno.com> wrote:
Hi Rachel,
I would be leery of using dry ice before getting answers to the question:
Is carbon dioxide lighter or heavier than air?
If it is heavier, then your hull can fill up with carbon dioxide, displacing the air you need to breathe when you lay down on your berth................... Not a nice thought! You need oxygen, not carbon dioxide to stay alive.
If it is lighter, then it will dissipate and no harm can be done.
Connie
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