If someone displays any of the following symptoms, they may be experiencing alcohol poisoning which can cause serious injury and/or death. Put the person in the Recovery Position and immediately call 911. Under Washington’s Good Samaritan Law, you and the person you call 911 for will not face legal consequences for underage or illicit substance/alcohol use when calling for emergency medical assistance, so make the call! It is dangerous to assume the person will be fine if they “sleep it off.”
Signs of alcohol poisoning:
- Unable to identify where/who they are: extreme confusion
- Unable to sit or stand by themselves
- Unable to remain conscious or awake
- Vomiting repeatedly
- Vomiting while unconscious
- Breathing slow or irregularly
- Cool, clamy, blue/green/purple skin, low body temperature: hypothermia
- Seizures
- You cannot wake the person
Use the RECOVERY POSITION, call 911, and stay with the person until emergency medical services arrive.
- Raise the person’s arm closest to you straight above the head. Straighten the leg closest to you. Bend the other leg at the knee and bring the other arm across the chest.
- Gently roll the person towards you, guarding their head from injury.
- Tilt the head to maintain airway. Tuck the nearest hand under the cheek to maintain head tilt.
