At high concentrations, the levels in the body can be life-threatening in less than one minute. Persons who smoke will already have carbon monoxide in their body and will be affected sooner. Persons who normally breath faster will typically reach higher levels of carbon monoxide in their blood more quickly. Breathing fresh air removes carbon monoxide. Breathing faster, breathing pure oxygen, or breathing pure oxygen under pressure, will significantly speed the removal of carbon monoxide from the blood.
Faster removal can reduce health problems caused by carbon monoxide.
Anyone exposed to carbon monoxide and experiencing health problems should immediately seek medical advice.