Alcohol Poisoning
An alcohol emergency–often called alcohol poisoning–is a much more critical situation than alcohol use. Alcohol poisoning is a true emergency situation, and must be responded to immediately. Call the Department of Public Safety at (413) 748-5555. Don't worry about getting a friend in trouble; their safety is what's most important.
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
- The person is unconscious or semi-conscious. You may have a hard time waking them up and they will not stay awake.
- The person has cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin.
- They are breathing very slowly (less than 8 breaths per minute) or irregularly (more than 10 seconds between breaths).
- They don't respond if you pinch their skin.
- They vomit while passed out.
- They have a seizure.
Any one of these symptoms is enough to get help. Don’t wait for someone to get worse before you intervene!
How You Can Protect Our Pride
- Immediately check on anyone who may be showing any signs of possible alcohol poisoning.
- If you notice someone passed out, vomiting, incoherent, unable to answer simple questions, call the Department of Public Safety at (413) 748-5555 immediately.
- If someone is passed out, roll them onto their side and stay with them until help arrives.
- If they vomit, clear their airway by sweeping out material from their mouth.
- Do not give the person food or fluids.
- Be prepared to tell the responders how much they've had to drink and if they used any other substances. Cooperate with the responders.
- Do NOT leave the person alone.
