When someone is unconscious after drinking alcohol, this may indicate alcohol poisoning, which is a medical emergency. Rapid action is essential to prevent death from choking, suppressed breathing, or cardiac arrest.
1. Call emergency services immediately
-
Dial your local emergency number right away.
-
Tell them the person is unconscious and alcohol poisoning is suspected.
2. Check responsiveness, breathing, and pulse
-
Gently shake their shoulder and call their name.
-
If not breathing normally or no pulse → start CPR immediately.
-
If breathing but unresponsive → move to recovery position (on their side, head tilted back, mouth open) to keep the airway clear and prevent choking on vomit.
3. Keep airway clear and safe
-
Clear the mouth if there is vomit.
-
Never leave them lying on their back — high risk of aspiration.
-
Keep their airway open by tilting the head back slightly.
4. Maintain warmth and monitor continuously
-
Alcohol poisoning can lower body temperature — cover them with a blanket.
-
Check breathing and pulse regularly until help arrives.
5. Do NOT
-
Do not leave the person alone, even if they seem to improve.
-
Do not try to “wake them up” with cold showers, walking, or coffee — these do not help and may cause harm.
-
Do not give them food or drink — they can choke.
-
Do not assume they are just “sleeping it off” — alcohol poisoning can progress silently.
6. Watch for warning signs of severe alcohol poisoning
-
Slow or irregular breathing (less than 8 breaths/min or pauses >10 sec)
-
Blue or pale skin, cold and clammy to touch
-
Vomiting while unconscious
-
Seizures
-
Unresponsiveness or semi-consciousness
No comments:
Post a Comment