Best Carbon Monoxide Detector (for Ice Fishing)
A carbon monoxide detector is an instrument used to measure the amount of carbon monoxide present when ice fishing. In addition to measuring the amount of carbon monoxide present in an ice fishing tent, shack or ice house, many such carbon monoxide detectors also alarm ice fishermen when a certain threshold of carbon monoxide has been reached. CO is dangerous when ice fishing as carbon monoxide is emitted by propane or butane burning heaters and cooking appliances.
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What is Ice Fishing?
Ice fishing describes the recreational activity where people seek to catch fish using a line and hook, or a more elaborate fishing rod, through an open hole in the ice coating a body of water. Often, ice houses, fishing tents or shacks are used in order for individuals to stay warm while fishing.
Is Ice Fishing Dangerous?
Ice fishing can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. This is especially true for individuals who are new to ice fishing and may not have done an adequate amount of research first.
Most obviously, falling through the ice into the cold water below is one of the largest dangers of ice fishing. This can cause hypothermia and frostbite among other conditions and injuries.
Another danger associated with ice fishing involves the heaters that anglers frequently bring with them to stave off the cold. These have the potential to cause fire, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Finally, as with all activities, anglers should be aware of potential dehydration that they may be experiencing and respond accordingly.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a gaseous compound made up of one part carbon and one part oxygen. According to the CDC, it is an odorless and colorless gas that has the capacity to kill people.
Why is Carbon Monoxide a Problem During Ice Fishing?
Carbon monoxide becomes a problem while ice fishing due to the use of heaters to stay warm in the outdoor activity. If used incorrectly, they may potentially expose the user to harmful levels of carbon monoxide and potentially cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Michigan Department of Community Health advises users to not use a grill in the heater's presence and to not use a heater in the shelter if there is not proper ventilation.
Do Fish House Heaters Emit Carbon Monoxide?
Fish house heaters, can emit carbon monoxide which is why they can be dangerous if they are not used properly and carbon monoxide is not monitored properly. Improper ventilation is the biggest cause of improper use and danger.
This is counter to the objective of heating the ice house. For example, one would want to reduce external air from entering the ice house, fish house, fish tent or ice shack in order to increase heating efficiency and preserve heat in the tent. Doing so starves the space of fresh air limiting the heater air supply to the combustion which increases carbon monoxide emissions and elevates carbon monoxide accumulation within the tent. In other words, a deadly cycle occurs.
So, the only way to stay safe is to have an appropriate CO detector and ensure adequate ventilation in your tent, ice house or shack.
Sunflower Style Heaters
Popular heaters used during ice fishing in tents include the Sunflower Style Heaters. These radiate heat from the "sunflower" elements that combust propane gas.
Buddy Heaters
The Buddy Heater is also a very portable heater running on propane gas. If ventilation is limited, that can produce large amounts of carbon monoxide gas.
Typical Warning in User Manual
Carbon Monoxide warnings on these heaters are serious. The Buddy Heaters User Manual states the following:
WARNING: CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING MAY CAUSE DEATH OR INJURYWhen used without adequate combustion and ventilation air, heater may give off excessive CARBON MONOXIDE, an odorless, poisonous gas. This is an unvented gas fired heater. The heater uses air (oxygen) from the area in which the heater is used. Adequate combustion and ventilation air must be provided. |
Where Should I Place the Carbon Monoxide Detector During Ice Fishing?
- While ice fishing, be sure to place the carbon monoxide detector within the ice house. This way, it can detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide due to the gases released from the heater inside of the ice house.
- Keep it away from door or ventilation openings. Keep it as close to your man as possible (to represent the air / carbon monoxide you are inhaling).
- Keep it off the ice.
- Clip it to your jacket or on your bag.
- Ensure it is placed in a location you can always see it and hear it.
Have There Been Deaths From Carbon Monoxide While Ice Fishing?
Yes there have been. Some examples include the following:
- In 2017, a woman in Minnesota was found dead and four others were hospitalized as a result of the poisoning.
- In 2016, a father of two was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.
- In 2021, a man and a woman in Winnipeg passed away as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in their ice fishing shacks.
What Are the Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Ice Fishing?
In selecting a CO detector for ice fishing, ensure the unit alarms at a low level of Carbon Monoxide that is 50ppm and below. We do not recommend using a home CO detector because they alarm too high and too slow. They alarm at 70ppm at 60 to 240 minutes. For such a small confined space that a ice fishing tent or shack is, a fast and responsive carbon monoxide detector is warranted.
For ice fishing, some excellent carbon monoxide detectors include the following:
- Forensics Detectors Waterproof Low Level CO Detector
- Forensics Detectors Carbon Monoxide Detector Waterproof
- Sensorcon Waterproof Carbon Monoxide Detector (check temp range)
- CO Experts Low Level CO Detector (check temp range)
Why is a Standard Home CO Detector Not Suitable for Ice Fishing?
Regular carbon monoxide detectors go off once a total of 70 ppm has been recorded for 60 minutes. For such a confined and compromising situation, this is too slow and too high of an alarm level. Hence, UL2034 and similar CO home alarms are actually "dangerous" when used in a ice fishing situation.
More appropriate are, low level carbon monoxide detectors that can detect carbon monoxide concentrations. Regular carbon monoxide detectors go off once a total of 70 ppm has been recorded for 60 minutes while low level carbon monoxide detectors go off at 10ppm or 25ppm depending on the model.
How Long Does it Take to Show Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can take as little as 5 or less minutes depending on the level of exposure to the carbon monoxide and the concentration of carbon monoxide present. High carbon monoxide concentrations can potentially kill individuals in 5 minutes while lower levels of exposure may take 2 hours or longer for individuals to start having symptoms. Such symptoms may include the following:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty thinking
- Vertigo
- Loss of physical co-ordination
- Loss of consciousness
What Does Carbon Monoxide Smell Like?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, meaning that it cannot be smelled.
Final Words
- Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that has the potential to kill you when ice fishing in a tent, a house or a shack.
- Individuals engaging in the outdoor activity of ice fishing should be sure that they are taking proper precautions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning - including having adequate ventilation when tenting.
- Due to the small size of the tent and potential large CO that can be emitted by a small propane heater or cooker, it is advised that a low level and fast reacting carbon monoxide detector be used when ice fishing.
About The AuthorDr. Koz is the President of FORENSICS DETECTORS, where the company operates from the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles, California. He is a subject matter expert on gas sensor technology, gas detectors, gas meters, and gas analyzers. He has been designing, building, manufacturing and testing toxic gas detection systems for over 20 years. 
Every day is a blessing for Dr. Koz. He loves to help customers solve their unique problems. Dr. Koz also loves spending time with his wife and his three children going to the beach, grilling burgers, and having a cold beer. Read more about Forensics Detectors here. Email: drkoz@forensicsdetectors.com |