Alcohol Poisoning & Binge Drinking

Party Games Turn Deadly

It's a fact: Drinking too much too fast can kill you.

Avoid chugging, funnelling and alcohol games.

Drinking a lot of alcohol really fast pushes up the alcohol concentration in your blood to the point where it depresses areas in your brain that control breathing, heart rate and level of consciousness.

The result is coma that can progress to death.

Death can also occur by asphyxiation, caused by a person choking on his or her own vomit while passed out or "sleeping."

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Note: Alcohol poisoning can occur without all of these symptoms being seen.

	Unconsciousness or semi-consciousness; the person "sleeping" cannot be awakened. Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. Slow breathing (less than eight breaths per minute); or irregular breathing (with 10 seconds or more between breaths). Vomiting when "sleeping"; or unconscious and not waking up after vomiting.

What To Do For Someone With Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

• Use the Bacchus Manoeuvre (see below) to roll the person on his or her side.
• NEVER leave the person on their back because they can choke on their vomit and die.
• Stay with them until help arrives.
• Monitor their breathing.

Bacchus Manoeuvre

Step 1

Raise the person's closest arm above his or her head. Prepare to roll them toward you.

Step 2

Gently roll the person's entire body. Guard their head as you roll them.

Step 3

Tilt head up to maintain airway. Tuck nearest hand under cheek to help maintain head tilt.

Step 4

Check the person often.

Resources

Safe Party Planning

Partying and Getting Drunk Pamphlet

"For the Record" kit is available through the Resource Centre catalogue.