Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with alcohol poisoning, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who drank heavily is unconscious, vomiting, breathing slowly, or cannot be woken — beyond normal drunkenness.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Roll on side. Never leave alone. No coffee or cold shower.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cannot be woken; passes out and stays out.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Slow or irregular breathing — fewer than 8 breaths per minute.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Vomiting while semi-conscious; cold clammy skin; seizures.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Very high blood alcohol can shut down breathing reflexes and cause choking on vomit.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unconscious drunk person can die from airway blockage even if breathing seems okay at first.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108. Say possible alcohol poisoning.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Roll them onto their side — recovery position.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay with them. Check breathing every minute.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If vomiting — clear mouth gently. Keep on side.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Identify what was taken, call Poison Control and emergency services, and follow their instructions. Do not guess treatments.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108. Say: "Unconscious after heavy drinking — breathing slow."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them age, amount drunk if known, and current breathing status.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unconsciousness, slow breathing, or repeated vomiting always need emergency care.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT let them sleep it off unattended.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give coffee, cold shower, or walk them around — does not sober them and risks falls.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A drunk person should sleep on their back
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Back sleeping risks choking on vomit. Side position protects the airway.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Asphyxiation during sleep.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child swallowed poison
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child has swallowed household cleaner, medicine, plants, or another toxic substance. Small amounts can be serious in children.
Adult swallowed poison
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An adult has swallowed an unknown or known toxic substance — household chemical, medicine, or other poison.
Button battery
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone swallowed a small coin-shaped battery from a toy, remote, or watch. It can burn through tissue within hours.
Carbon monoxide
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People in a closed room with heater, generator, or car exhaust feel headache, nausea, or confusion — carbon monoxide is odorless.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If not breathing — start CPR.