Alcohol Poisoning

KEEP CALM AND ASSESS THE SITUATION, DECIDE HOW SERIOUS IT IS PRIOR TO TAKING ACTION. Don't let any anxiety you may have transfer to the person in trouble. Call for police and medical help. Do not avoid calling for help out of the mistaken notion that you are doing the intoxicated person a favor by preventing police and medical help.

BE AWARE OF THE MAIN DANGERS:

1. If you detect respiratory problems, stupor, or unconsciousness, GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP!
   
   
2. KEEP THE PERSON STILL. Any abrupt or unnecessary movement might cause the intoxicated person to fall or faint, resulting in injury.
   
   
3. DO NOT ADMINISTER ANY FOOD, DRINK, OR MEDICATION TO AN INTOXICATED PERSON. Introducing anything into the system might induce vomiting and result in choking or aspiration of gastric acids into the lungs.
   
   
4. If the person is vomiting, remain with him, turning his head to the side to try and prevent aspiration of vomit.

PERTINENT PHONE NUMBERS:

University Police	ext. 6911
Rescue Squad	911 OFF CAMPUS
Harrisonburg Police	911 OFF CAMPUS

For immediate care of a drunk person pending arrival of emergency medical care...

DO's	DON'T's
Keep the person still and comfortable.	Don't try to walk, run, or exercise the intoxicated person; don't try to keep the person awake; above all, don't permit the person to drive, ride a bike, or operate any equipment.
Stay with the intoxicated person who is vomiting. When lying him/her down, turn head to the side to keep it from falling back. Keep the person from swallowing or aspirating the vomit.	Don't administer anything orally - food, liquid, or drug - in an attempt to "sober" the person up. (THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SOBER UP A DRUNK PERSON IS TIME.)
Monitor the person's breathing.	Don't give the person a cold shower - the shock may cause him/her to pass out, resulting in possible injury.
Keep your distance. Before approaching or touching, explain what you intend to do.	Don't attempt to constrain the person without the assistance of a sober person.
Speak in a clear, firm, reassuring manner.	Don't laugh, ridicule, provoke, anger, argue, or threaten.

Call for Police and Emergency Medical Help...

• When you are in doubt about what to do.
  
  
• When the person is unconscious or stuporous.
  
  
• When the person has difficulty breathing (If breathing stops, it may be necessary to administer rescue breathing pending arrival of medical help).

The Police Can Also Help...

• When the person is rowdy or too unruly to handle.
  
  
• When you need transportation to health facilities.
  
  
• When the person refuses assistance and may cause self or others harm (particularly if the intoxicated person gets behind the wheel of a car).

When You Call for Help...

• Identify yourself.
  
  
• State that you have a problem with someone who has been drinking excessively.
  
  
• Give your specific location.