How To Know What to Do:
Heavy drinking can lead to dangerous consequences and even death. According
to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the only “safe” or “responsible” use
of alcohol is moderation. For more information, go to the Guidelines for
Responsible Alcohol Use on this website. Other tips are to take food with
alcohol, to drink
slowly, to wait at least one hour between drinks and to alternate non-alcoholic
beverages with alcoholic ones.
How can I tell if someone might have alcohol poisoning?
1. Person is unconscious or semi-conscious and can’t be awakened with
vigorous shaking.
2. Skin is cold, clammy, pale or bluish.
3. Breathing is slow (less than 8 times per minutes) or irregular (with 10
or more seconds between breaths).
4. Person has vomited while passed out and is not waking up.
What do I do if someone does have alcohol poisoning?
1. GET HELP! Call an ambulance (911), or Public Safety (331-3255) immediately.
Turn the victim on his/her side to prevent choking.
2. Do not leave the person alone; continue to monitor their breathing.
What not to do if someone has symptoms of alcohol poisoning:
- Do not put the person in a cold shower.
- Do not try to get the person up to “walk it off.”
- Do not give the person food, beverages or medicine “to sober them
up.”
For more information,
go to http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov,
or contact:
ALERT Labs
(ALcohol, Education, Research,
and Training Laboratories)
http://www4.gvsu.edu/alert
