Elk hunters dead in NM

[outtabreath]

Just heard on the news that two elk hunters from Texas died from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning while hunting in the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico. Apparently, they brought a propane heater into their tent to stay warm and left it running. Their friends found them in the morning. Temps here in New Mexico recently dropped significantly.
Very sorry to hear about preventable accidents like that. Just wanted to post it here to remind people that those things are pretty dangerous when used improperly ( in a closed space). At times it seems like a good idea, but it isn't worth your life. If its THAT cold, and you are not prepared, you should pack up and find a hotel ,Pronto!

 

[YukonDall]

WE USE LPG HEATERS IN OUR TENT EVERY YEAR, THE TRICK IS TO VENT THE TENT, THEN AT NIGHT TURN THEM OFF. I REALLY FEEL FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILYS, THAT IS SAD. YD.

 

[arch3614elk]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-28-05 AT 06:41PM (MST)[p] My Cousin and his young son were killed the same way twelve years ago in Vernal Utah . They were sleeping in the back of the truck with a sleeper on it getting ready for the archery deer opener. His friends found them the next morning. All the windows were closed. They died because the lantern was tipped over causing the gas to leak out. Yes you must always vent regardless if your in a tent or a trailer. Always error on the side of caution. I hate hearing these types of stories, because of how it hits our hunting family.

 

[fatrooster]

arch3614elk, thanks for the heads up on a turned over lantern. I never sleep with a gas heater but I do use lanterns sometimes. I never thought of a leaky lantern killing me. I won't forget about it though. fatrooster.

 

[Chef]

That is tough news to hear.
Right before the holidays too.
Feel terrible for the families.

Chef
"I Love Animals...They're Delicious!"

 

[DonV]

Scary, I used a catalytic heater at night, not vented well but with 2 carbon monoxide detectors running. Not the best plan.

 

[NMRaptor]

I wonder what kinda tent they were in. I frequently use a 3-burner propane heater in our wall tent. Seems like there is plenty of ventilation but stuff like this always makes me wonder.
-Raptor

 

[outtabreath]

Well, everyone wants to stay warm. We used our big-sixty cook stove for some "instant heat" in our wall tent this year and my buddy wouldn't stop whining about the Carbon monoxide. I am sure glad for the whining now. Of course, we would never have gone to sleep with it running, which I'm guessing these guys did. I wonder what some good options are. I lived in a very cold house in the mountains for a few years and we had these hot water bottles. You can fill them with boiling water and toss 'em in bed ( sleeping bag ) about ten minutes before you crawl in. They really do the trick. Once they cool a bit ( or if wrapped in a towel) you can leave it in your bag. We had a couple of different ones. One was rubber and the other was ceramic. The cermaic one stayed hot way longer, but might be a little uncomfortable in the confines of a sleeping bag. I have never tried this while camping/hunting, but may in the future. Just a thought.

 

[Elk_Nuts]

Check out the new Big Buddy heaters the have auto shut off if the o2 gets too low. Been using them in the tent for two years now. sorry to hear about this.
Brian

 

[WapitiBob]

elk nuts is right. new safe propane heaters of varying size.

 

[NEVADAGUY]

Elk-Nuts thanks for the tip in the new style heaters. That is a very sad story, hopefully it is an eye opener for all of us.

 

[TrohChse]

Who makes the new safe propane heaters?

 

[kingfish]

Never sleep with them running!!!. We have used propane for years BUT always shut them off at night. Make sure your tent is well ventilated. Very tragic!!

 

[opportunist]

You might not think you are going to sleep with them on, but the CO will put you to sleep before you realize it.

 

[Steelermadman2002]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-30-05 AT 05:10PM (MST)[p]This story is saddening. I have a tent trailer with a two burner stove. At times we have slept with the burner on. I refused to do it until I purchased a CO2 monitor, I jave never felt comfortable. I have purchased a better sleeping bag so I do not need to. We just turn it on before we go to bed and when we wake up.

As said earlier the Buddy Heater is the way to go if one is going to be used. They sell in Cabela's for $79 and $129 they have a 02 sensor that will shut off. Its one of the few heaters that state it can be used inside.

 

[DonV]

FYI heaters with O2 sensors do not work above 8,000 feet! The sense low oxygen and shut off! Plus simply trusting this mechanism to work is not a good idea.

I did a lot of research before our elk hunt this year, I used a catalytic propane heater that was designed to last 18 hours, (slow burning). To do a test, I first tested my 2 CO detectors in the garage with my truck, they worked. I then turned on 2 propane lanterns, and my propane heater and ran then in a small (8'x8') fully enclosed room. I left them in there for hours and the CO detector never registered ANY CO.

Bottom line is propane appliances working properly are no problem, improperly is where the problem starts. We are going to run 2 cataylictic heaters this year at night, leave a small opening and have 2 CO detectors in the tent. I suspect this is still not a good idea.

 

[bowdaddi]

i know a company named "masterguard" makes the best co detector
guys. it has an artificial hemoglobin that mimcs a blood cell when there is enough co to be dangerous to the human blood cell this alarm goes off.

 

[quickdrawkinker]

Don't leave them burning period! two buddy's of mine left theirs burning in the tent and even had the tent ventillated, but during the middle of the night it snowed a couple inches and closed off the vents--killing them both.....

 

[MontanaTines]

Sorry to here about the friends and family that have been lost this way. I've used a Buddy Heater the last few years, however the tent was always vented as well. Anybody ever have any problems with the Buddy Heater?