Alcohol Poisoning
What Is It?
Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex, which prevents choking. Someone who drinks a fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop breathing. Even if someone survives an alcohol overdose, he or she can suffer irreversible brain damage. Rapid binge drinking is especially dangerous because the victim can drink a fatal dose before losing consciousness.
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning:
- Mental confusion, stupor, coma or person cannot be roused
- No response to pinching the skin
- Vomiting while sleeping
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (less than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
What should I do?
- GET HELP!!!
- Call 911 or your local emergency service
- Stay with the victim
- Keep the victim from choking on vomit
- Tell emergency medical technicians the symptoms and, if you know, how much alcohol the victim drank. Prompt action might save the life of a friend!
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