Watch your BAC: How to spot alcohol poisoning
As a college student, you could find yourself in a situation that you’re not sure how to handle, especially if alcohol is involved. If you’re concerned about the health and safety of a fellow Buff, help is one call away.
Calling for help in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency means neither the person who calls for help nor the person who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions by the university (i.e., probation, suspension, expulsion).
To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must:
- Call for help (911 or university staff)
- Stay with the intoxicated individual until help arrives, and put them into the recovery position if they are exhibiting signs of alcohol poisoning
- Cooperate with staff and emergency responders
For more information about the Amnesty policy visit the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution's website or review the Student Code of Conduct (PDF).
What does alcohol poisoning look like?
If you see someone with these symptoms, they may be experiencing alcohol poisoning:
- Passed out and unresponsive
- Fewer than 12 breaths per minute
- Vomiting while passed out
- Pale/bluish or cool/clammy skin
- Uncontrolled peeing or pooping
What should you do to help?
If someone is experiencing the symptoms listed above, call 911 for help. While you wait for paramedics to arrive, do the following:
- Make sure that the person is in a safe place to avoid injury
- Stay with them; never leave a severely intoxicated person alone
- Gently turn them on their side and put them in the recovery position
- If the person may have used opiates in any form, including pain pills, administering Naloxone can reverse an overdose (Naloxone is safe to use even if the person is not experiencing an overdose, so when in doubt, it’s best to administer it). Naloxone is available at the pharmacy in Wardenburg Health Center
Learn more about alcohol poisoning and the recovery position.