There are many risks that come with binge drinking alcohol. You can make poor choices, loose your coordination and get injured, or even get a DWI. However, another serious risk many people do not think about is alcohol poisoning. This can be dangerous but also deadly. Learn how to respond if someone has alcohol poisoning.
How-to Respond If Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning: Risks of Drinking
What Is It?
First, to know how to respond if someone has alcohol poisoning, you must know what it is. This can happen if someone drinks too much, too quickly. When you drink too fast, the body can not process the alcohol as quickly as you are drinking it. This can cause toxic levels to build up in your bloodstream. You blood alcohol content can keep increasing for 40 minutes after you have had your last drink. No matter a person’s tolerance, weight, age or gender, this can unfortunately affect anyone.
What are the Signs?
There are many signs and symptoms to look out for when someone has alcohol poisoning. Drinking too much too quickly can affect your breathing, heart rate, body temperature and gag reflex and potentially lead to a coma and death. Keep in mind that not everyone will have all of the same symptoms or react the same way. Some people may have more severe symptoms while others may be more mild. These signs can include confusion, vomiting, seizures, and slow breathing. Also, they can have irregular breathing, low body temperature, blue or pale skin, and possibly becoming unconscious.
How to Respond?
When someone has alcohol poisoning, it is a life threatening emergency. Be sure to call 911 immediately to get a this person medical attention as soon as possible. If you know the answers, provide the medial workers information about how much, when, and what the person had to drink. Do not leave an unconscious person alone. They may choke on their own vomit and not be able to breathe. Therefore, do not try and make them vomit either, and wait with them until help arrives.
Lastly, if someone is already vomiting, keep them sitting up. If you are unable to keep them upright, make sure they keep their head to one side while laying down. This will help prevent them from choking on their vomit. Do your best to keep them awake so they do not become unconscious.