Take Care of a Drunk Person

Being able to spot alcohol poisoning can save lives. This guide is essential to anyone living at college or university.

Steps

 * 1) Recognize someone who has had one too many. It's quite simple to notice, thanks to the slurred speech, questionable walking technique, unusual or embarrassing behavior and so on.
 * 2) Step in to discourage further drinking. Try distracting them, taking them out for a breath of fresh air, suggest it is time to call it a night. At least take responsibility for making their drinks - and make them very weak.
 * 3) You can get away with giving someone who is very drunk soft drinks, hand them a coke, claim it contains vodka. Chances are they won't even notice.
 * 4) Do your best to avoid them causing themselves physical injury especially through falling. Help them to a safe seat or the floor. If the person begins to heave try to help them to an appropriate place to vomit.
 * 5) If a person is lying down when they begin to heave/vomit place them in the recovery position (on their side with the higher knee bent) to prevent choking.
 * 6) This is the important part - do not leave someone who is very drunk to fall asleep alone. Stay in the room with them - watch a film, TV, read a book or clean up after the party but keep them in the room with you. If you take them home ensure a responsible person will do the same.
 * 7) Check regularly to ensure they respond to being stirred. Say their name loudly, ask them firmly to open their eyes, prod them and look for a response. Watch the chest/abdomen for breathing movements. 12- 20 breaths per minute is normal.
 * 8) If breathing becomes slow (8 breaths per minute or less) and they are unresponsive to being prodded and pinched firmly this suggests alcohol poisoning. Blue lips, rapid pulse and cold clammy hands/ feet are also possible signs.
 * 9) If you spot these signs don't panic call 999/911/112/110, or your area's emergency number immediately. Explain the situation clearly.
 * 10) Stay with the person keep them warm and continue to monitor breathing. If a qualified first aider is available call on them for help whilst waiting for the ambulance.
 * 11) If someone else is present send them to direct the ambulance paramedics to your position.

Tips

 * Do not jeopardize your own health when looking after the person. Do not try to physically lift a drunken person or stop someone much larger than you falling down--you may injure your back. Instead concentrate on protecting their head.
 * If someone gets into a drunken state having taken in seemingly little alcohol they may be lightweight but be wary of drinks being spiked. If you suspect this get the person home and report it.
 * Telling the person the danger they put themselves in may stop them from over-indulging again.
 * If the person you suspect to be suffering from alcohol poisoning is underage do not put off calling the emergency services for fear of getting them in trouble. The younger a person is, the more suseptable to alcohol they are and the longer you leave them, the worse they could get.

Warnings

 * Remain calm if the person's symptoms begin to concern you. Don't panic but do call the ambulance. It is far better to be safe than sorry, let people who are trained make the decisions.
 * If they are asleep, make sure they are on their side, with their face facing the same way as their body is, NOT on the stomach or back, for either way they could drown in their vomit. If they vomit, they can aspirate it, and die (John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Bon Scott of AC/DC, Eric “Stumpy Joe” Childs of Spinal Tap, and others).
 * Don't be the person who needs this kind of help. Don't assume people around you will know what to do to help you.
 * Don't induce vomiting in a person who is drunk.
 * Never allow someone who is drunk behind the wheel of a car, ever.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Host a Successful Party
 * How to Deal With Drinking Too Much
 * How to Escape from a Drunken Date