Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency; it is dangerous to assume that the person will be fine by just "sleeping it off".
Everyone should know that you can die from drinking too much alcohol and that a certain alcohol blood level can put someone in a coma. Drinking heavily and quickly (shots, drinking games ) is very risky behavior and could become a medical emergency.
Here are some of the potential signs of acute alcohol poisoning. If you are ever in an emergency situation, don't be afraid to call for help. (Security, R.A. Student Safety) It's better to be safe than sorry.
- Try to wake the person: Call their name, pinch them, press your knuckle hard on their sternum. They should react to these. Remember that alcohol is a depressant and it will numb the nerves so by pinching the skin, you can judge how far along in the "overdose "process they are. If you can't wake the person up at all, it is a serious situation.
- Turn the person on their side-do not leave them: You turn them and make sure they stay on their side so that if they vomit, their airway will not be blocked, and they will not choke. Stay with them except if you have to get help from someone. Monitor their breathing.
- Check skin colour or temperature: Is their skin bluish, grayish or very pale? Does their skin feel cold and clammy? This is a sign that they are not getting enough oxygen and is a sure sign of respiratory depression. They need to go to the hospital.
- Check the person's breathing: If the person is breathing irregularly with a few breaths and then none for a while, this is a sign that medical attention is necessary. If a person's breathing is too shallow, less than 10 breaths in a minute or more than 10 seconds between breaths, this is another sign that you should get help.
- Everyone is different: A person may have one or all of these signs. If you are in doubt call Security. Don't be afraid that your friend will be mad at you if you send him/her to the hospital. Just imagine how you would feel if you did nothing and he /she died.
