Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

• Unable to stand or walk, or can only do so with difficult
• Only vaguely aware of his surroundings
• Difficulty breathing
• Passed out or in a stupor
• Feverish or chilled
• Difficulty speaking or identifying oneself to others; obnoxious or unruly
• Consumed—or chugged—a large quantity of alcohol, or ingested other sedating or tranquilizing drugs
• Repeated episodes of vomiting
• Unconscious or semi-conscious
• Slowed or irregular breathing (eight or less breaths per minute) or lapses in breathing of more than 10 seconds
• Cold, clammy or pale/bluish skin
• Vomiting while “sleeping” or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting

Appropriate Action

If you encounter a person who exhibits one or more of these symptoms, call NDSP at 574-631-5555. If you’re off-campus, call 911. While waiting for medical transport, gently turn the intoxicated person on their side and maintain that position by placing a pillow in the small of the person’s back to prevent aspiration should they vomit. Stay with the person until medical help arrives.