Air Tight Teardrops can KILL YOU

[parnold]

Went camping last night in 40 degree weather. Decided since it was so cold, I would leave everything closed up. I left my interior light on, hoping that the 15 watt bulb would warm me up.

I woke up in the middle of the night, gasping for air. I was breathing heavy like I'd just run a marathon, ok, well in my shape, run up the stairs. I opened the roof vent, and cracked the door for air, and slept the rest of the night fine.

Is it possible that the trailer is so air tight I was running out of air after 3 hours or so?

[Cliffmeister2000]

I would think that it would be very possible!

[kirkman]

YEP Glad you woke up!

[Pottercounty]

Carbon Dioxide poisoning is a very real concern...don't do that anymore..

[madjack]

NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER sleep in a completely closed up trailer...even in cold weather, we leave the top vent opened a bit, along with the door windows opened slightly as well...since, most all of our camping is in parks with shore power, we use a small ceramic heater set on low and sleep quite well...TYVM..................................
madjack

[gperks]

My wife and I did the same thing last year, it really freaked me out

[Gage]

Is it possible that the trailer is so air tight I was running out of air after 3 hours or so?

Lesson learned. You do have a roof vent, don't you? I know it's been talked about several times on several threads over the years, but you DO NOT sleep in a teardrop all closed up. Because if it was built correctly, it will be air tight.

[Mightydog]

We've made that mistake too where you wake up with a headache and can't finish sentences.

We sleep with the top vent open and running on low along with the windows on the doors open a couple of inches. If it's cold, we use a ceramic heater or heating pads on each side of the bed. We also sleep under a down comforter that has a flanel duvet.

It's better to be a little cold than a little dead.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

No matter how cold it is outside... Joanie & I always open the roof vent and both door windows.
I'm Glad You Woke Up!!!

[Dale M.]

You understand why they poke holes in the boxes you use to take pets home from pet shop don't you....

Same principle in people box..... Get 'lectric drill out an poke some holes.... Just kidding...

Yes carbon monoxide/dioxide poisoning is real, glad you are here to ask the right questions....

Dale

[doug hodder]

Paul....glad you're here to ask the question....Like mentioned....ALWAYS....have a fresh air source, especially if it's a newly finished tear and the finish/foam etc... hasn't out-gassed completely. Doug

[SonofT@B]

Yep...scary stuff...always vent!

[Oasis Maker]

Out-gassing is a very real thing. I had a clinic and we treated people that were so sensitive to it that everything we used in construction we tried to 'minimize' it, from the type of carpet, glue, paint etc. We then rented 5 HEPA air cleaners and ran them for 3 days straight.

That was in a space that was 8000 sf. Condense the out-gassing down to a TTT and then add a lack of oxygen on top of that.... yeah, I'm glad you woke up too.

It's deceiving because you think you're in the clear if you're not using a propane heater or burning a candle, etc.

Scott

[tearhead]

You might want to check out an earlier thread on "suffocation factor" which is both funny and informative:

http://mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic. ... t=airtight

We tried it one night with windows closed--or should I say part of one night. Had a lot of condensation, so cracked a window and turned on the fan. It does get stuffy without doing that.

[TheresaD]

Geez Paul! Glad to hear you woke up and were able to post this. I'm sure there are alot of newbies out there that might not realize this danger. Glad you're ok.
I guess since Jackie's not going to be at Knoebels I'll have to make sure I come by and shake your tear for you to make sure you're awake!