Gas Attack?

[neptune]

An old friend of mine has just returned from the south of France, having spent five weeks touring the continent in his old camper van. He reports that one night last week he was robbed. Thieves broke into his van, via the front passenger door as he lay asleep. He sleeps in a bed that fits across the front seats. He was robbed of some cash, his passport, and a high end mobile phone. The strange thing is that his dog did not bark. He woke up in time to see two men running away.
After speaking to some other tourists, there is a rumour going round that gangs use some form of narcotic gas to spray into vehicles before entering. Other victims have reported feeling sick and dizzy on awakening. My friend had no such symptoms.
I discount this theory for several reasons. First, how would they determine the correct dose. Too little, the victim awakens. Too much, the victim dies. Look what happened when Russian officials used this tactic in that theatre siege in Moskow. 20% of the people inside died. The idea is also poo-pooed by the Royal College of Anaethetists. There have also been reported attacks on sleeping truck drivers. I say it is most probably a myth. Any opinions?

 

[flecc]

A piece of raw meat for the dog can do the trick for keeping it quiet.

An anaesthetic or narcotic gas is unlikely, but carbon monoxide introduced briefly can keep someone sleeping and make them feel dizzy and confused after waking.

 

[tillson]

I heard this one about 3 to 4 years ago. It's an Urban Legend. Do you know the victim personally? My experience is that it's always a friend of a friend of a friend that this happens too.

 

[neptune]

@flecc. A skilled anaethetist needs to be with the patient during the unconscious period, and the patient is constantly monitored. It takes several years of training. Carbon monoxide poisoning to the point of loss of consciousness, will quite often cause death unless there is immediate medical treatment and oxygen. I am not saying it is impossible, but the death rate would be at least 20% and we would have heard about it.
I know the guy personally, I was talking to him this afternoon. But I find it odd that he had no symptoms, and did not "know" he had been gassed until he talked to other tourists. On the limited evidence I have, I find it hard to believe he was gassed. I do know for certain that he was robbed. Usually his dog barks if it hears anyone anywhere near the van.
It is interesting that several brands of "Narcotic Gas Alarms " are available for camper vans. Not sure how that would work, as the type of gas is unknown!

 

[morphix]

That's sad to hear what your friend, I hope he was insured. I've never heard of gas being used but I suppose they could Co2 like flecc said.. even just spraying a small fire extinguisher into a small space like a van would disorientate people I imagine..

 

[mike killay]

Many people do not realise just how comatose a sleeping person can sometimes get. I have personally had experience of having to shout and physically shake a person to wake them up.

 

[funkylyn]

Hi Neptune, shame about your friend being robbed but the gas attack theory is indeed an Urban Myth.
This has been going the rounds on my motorhome forums for years now and has been discounted by several eminent anaesthetists for several reasons including the ones you have mentioned.

People are on holiday and have maybe taken a drink or two, or indeed have just enjoyed more than their normal share of fresh air...all this can lead to a deeper sleep than normal.

As you probably know I travel with four dogs who can hear a pin drop but I have noticed on occasions that even they seem to sleep a deeper sleep whilst camping......as indeed I do, which to be honest is usually a 'double whammy' of alcohol AND a surfeit of fresh air and exercise

Lynda

 

[Tinker]

I've traveled a lot in a Motorhome and the urban myth about Gas Attack often crops up. funnily enough Les Flic's nave no record of it ever actually happening and doubt if such a gas exists, they usually put it down to lots of fresh air, open windows/doors and perhaps too much wine.

 

[flecc]

@flecc. A skilled anaethetist needs to be with the patient during the unconscious period, and the patient is constantly monitored. It takes several years of training. Carbon monoxide poisoning to the point of loss of consciousness, will quite often cause death unless there is immediate medical treatment and oxygen.

I realise this Neptune, but wasn't speaking of such a sustained application. A small amount of carbon monoxide from a quick application is sufficient to keep a sleeping person from waking up due to the reduction of oxygen, in other words, the equivalent of the drowsiness one can suffer in a poor indoors atmosphere. That of course is carbon monoxide's great danger if it's a continuous supply, preventing awakening until death eventually occurs.

I agree though that any gas attack of this sort is unlikely.
.

 

[neptune]

Fortunately my friend was insured, and has managed to recover some of the value of what he lost. Although it put a damper on his holiday, he does not seem unduly fased [spelling] by the experience, and is already planning another trip. I have known him since primary school, and I am sure he is telling what he believes to be the truth, but I remain unconvinced. For many people claiming a gas attack may well be easier than admitting, even to themselves, that they slept through a robbery. The thing I still find hard to resolve is that the dog did not bark and wake him.

 

[Scimitar]

The thing I still find hard to resolve is that the dog did not bark and wake him.

Thieves can be good at doping mutts, you know.

 

[billadie]

The thing I still find hard to resolve is that the dog did not bark and wake him.[/QUOTE

I seem to remember that Sherlock Holmes had a similar problem.......but not in a motor caravan, of course.

 

[bode]

I seem to remember that Sherlock Holmes had a similar problem.......but not in a motor caravan, of course.

He had his tent stolen in one of my favourite jokes.

 

[eddieo]

An urban myth that has been around for years.....many get robbed because of poor security and tiredness, it really is as simple as that..

 

[gerryscott]

maybe it was a poorly paid anaethetist

 

[flecc]

The thing I still find hard to resolve is that the dog did not bark and wake him.

Dogs have two loyalties, their owner and their stomach.