Safety – ThingsDanLikes

BACtrack Select S80 Breathalyzer

OUTDATED: There’s a newer model, that I now recommend. The BACtrack C8 available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKXQ5L5

It’s the holiday season and for some of us that means drinking. There are no jokes here people, this is serious and it’s lecture time. If you’re going to drink you shouldn’t be driving. Officially, you should have a designated driver, and I agree with that wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, there are going to be times where you’ve maybe had one or two drinks and you’re the one driving. Don’t ever wonder if you’re okay to drive. Get a Breathalyzer. A good one. I’ve known people who get crappy ones and they suck. Get a decent one, keep it in your car, keep the batteries fresh. It could save a life, or an embarrassing mistake that you pay for for a long time.

I know some of you look at this and think it’s too expensive. If you’re drinking and you’re not riding home in a cab or with someone who hasn’t been drinking every time you do, get this. Get it for your mom, your dad, your kid, your spouse, anyone who you love that drinks.

Amazon.com_ BACtrack Select S80 Breathalyzer Professional Edition_ Health & Pers_2013-12-18_22-12-52

This company also makes a really cool Bluetooth version of this with a companion Smart Phone app, but it hasn’t been as well reviewed in terms of its accuracy. This is the professional version, the real deal. Please don’t buy a cheap one, you’ll regret it. They are wildly inaccurate. Also, you will need to get it recalibrated from time to time. You can send it back to the manufacturer and they will re-calibrate it for you for a nominal fee.

Amazon.com $150

PowerFlares

I was a boy scout, so I like to be prepared. Actually, I think I was a Cub Scout, but that doesn’t sound as impressive for a 33 year old man to still claim as the reason why he likes to be prepared. I think I actually went to like three Cub Scout meetings. I definitely was in Indian Guides.

Suffice it to say, I like to be prepared. I carry a first aid kit in my car (recommendation upcoming) and I’ve always carried other cool things like chains, water, blankets and flares. Flares are one of those things that you hope you never have to use but at the same time deep down hope you find a good reason to use one day. A good reason where no one has been seriously injured, but you get to say, “Hold on a sec, let me put out some flares.”

That opportunity came for me a number of years back. I saw a car swerve and go into the center divider on Highway 1. I thought, “Yes! Someone should put out flares.” So I go check on the guy, he’s fine. Then I run back to my car and grab a few flares. Having no idea how to actually light said flares, I struggled with that for a minute or two, but got them going; such a proud moment.

A few minutes later I looked back to see that the winds that whip the central coast of California had blown them into the center divider. What I realized that day is that flares are one of those things that sound cooler in your head than they are in reality. Like nude beaches.

So imagine my delight when I ran across PowerFlares. PowerFlares are made of ABS plastic and contain 16 very bright LED lights. They are virtually indestructible. They use lithium batteries (CR123, my favorite) with a 10 year lifespan so they’re always ready to go. Press the button to turn them on (and choose from a multitude of patterns), set them down, and move on to life saving activities.

Amazon.com $55

Beware of cheap knock off products. The ones you can drive a truck over and are used by Law Enforcement and other professionals are made by PowerFlare. http://www.powerflare.com/