Whether you work for the law enforcement or need to have one on-hand at your business facility, a breathalyzer can be a valuable resource. Used correctly, it can take those who've had too much to drink off the road or put them out of a job.

Consisting of a mouthpiece, a tube that the offender blows through and a sample chamber, the breathalyzer produces on-the-spot results. The benefit is that, unlike blood samples, you don't need to wait long for results. But before you invest in a breathalyzer, consider the following:

1. Find breathalyzer companies, and purchase their products.

2. Look into car breathalyzer manufacturers as an option.

3. Locate breathalyzer accessories, such as disposable mouthpieces and software, as well as breathalyzer service companies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate a breathalyzer provider to sell you top-of-the-line equipment

Trusting a breathalyzer-producing company is vital, as you're entrusting the product with someone else's life. You certainly don't want to purchase a faulty tester; breathalyzers are admissible in court. Purchase only from established companies.

I recommend: Check out PersonalTesters.com and its selection of personal and business breathalyzers. Q3 Innovations is a leader among breathalyzer sales that features many newly-released AlcoHAWK products. One of the best AlcoHAWK products is the Premium, which you can buy at AlcoTester.com. You have the option of purchasing the full or basic kit, and you can read about the differences on the site.

Research car breathalyzer kits to see if it's an option for your business

Sometimes used as a last resort, car breathalyzers, known as ignition interlock devices, require drivers to breathe into a tube to start the automobile. Install them in company vehicles to ensure laws are followed. Or, in the legal world, the offender usually picks up the cost of the apparatus, which needs to be professionally installed.

I recommend: One of the companies in a breathalyzer list is Test Medical Symptoms at Home, which offers a NHTSA-compatible car breathalyzer. Smart Start sells a state-of-the-art monitoring device that's the size of a cell phone. You can find out if a location near you offers the service.

Find breathalyzer accessories and services to provide quick results

You can't effectively use a breathalyzer without certain components such as mouthpieces and software. It's best to purchase disposable mouthpieces if you plan to test a multitude of people. You also need to calibrate your breathalyzer routinely to ensure accuracy.

I recommend: Breathalyzer.net sells its DataTrak software for easy transferring. You can also buy a CD that helps you complete the training program needed to officially administer breathalyzer tests. BreathAlcolyzer.com sells plastic mouthpieces or straws that you can easily dispose of after each breathalyzer use. You can send in your breathalyzer to Advanced Safety Devices to get calibrated. With a turnaround of five business days, you can rest easy knowing that you should receive your equipment quickly.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask if the breathalyzer you purchase comes with a warranty, and determine what is covered before you finalize the purchase.
• •  Know your state's laws to use the breathalyzer information. Once you have the blood alchohol content (BAC), you need to use the breathalyzer information to know what steps to take and when to take action. Not every state in the United States has the same BAC limit.