Alcohol Poisoning

Prevent a Tragedy

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning:

1) Person is unconscious or semi-conscious and cannot be woken.
2) Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin.
3) Slow respirations: less than eight breaths per minute, or irregular breaths with ten seconds or more between breaths.
4) Vomiting while “sleeping” or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting.
5) Person is not alert to the date, time, or his or her surroundings or location.

If a person has any of these symptoms, he or she may be suffering from acute alcohol intoxication.

What should you do?

1) Get help. Call for the URI ambulance at 874-2121. If in a residence hall, get an RA or HD/GAHD.

2) Do not leave the person alone. Turn the person on his or her side to keep them from choking in case of vomiting. Check the person every couple of minutes to make sure he or she is still breathing.

3) Do not try to give the person anything to eat or drink. This increases the risk of the person choking.

4) When the ambulance crew arrives, answer any questions to the best of your ability. Gather information about what the person had to eat and drink, if the person is on any medications, as well as if this has ever happened to this person before.

5) Remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Everyone reacts differently to alcohol. A person suffering from alcohol poisoning will not necessarily exhibit all of the symptoms described. The potential consequences– perhaps a fine or a hospital bill– do not compare to the possible tragedies of not calling for help.

Think Big We Do

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