...Can Ruin Your Celebration!

Overdose becomes possible when blood alcohol levels (BALs) reaches .28, with 50% of people dying at BALs of .40. In terms of number of drinks, 95% of people will be at risk for overdose after consuming 21 standard drinks in 6 or fewer hours.

Who is most at risk?

• Those with a high tolerance for alcohol. As you can consume more and more alcohol, you come closer and closer to the amount that can cause death.
  
• Those who drink quickly. Drinking quickly can increase BAL so rapidly the person cannot vomit.

Some of the early signs of risk include:

• Drinking quickly, playing drinking games, multiple shots, and chugging or funneling drinks.
  
• Vomiting is the body’s first response to alcohol overdose.
  
• Use of stimulants (including ecstasy) and energy drinks can make you feel you can drink more, as alcohol’s effects are masked

First Aid In Case of An Overdose

One of the dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption is alcohol poisoning and even death. If you have ever vomited because of drinking, you have experienced alcohol poisoning.

Call for Medical Attention Immediately if your friend has any of the following symptoms:

• No pain response- if he/she does not respond to a shoulder pinch.
  
• Irregular breathing.
  
• Respiration below 9 breaths per minute.
  
• Pulse below 50 and dropping.

If any of these conditions exist, seek medical attention immediately. If you seek medical attention, your positive actions will be considered in any potential judicial deliberation.

If You Don't Seek Medical Attention

If you choose not to seek medical attention:

• Place the person in a recovery position (see below) designed to reduce the chances of death by choking on his or her own vomit.

• Continue to monitor them until you can wake the person, and he or she is intelligible. This could take many hours.
  

Even if you place him or her in a correct position, they may still be at risk for medical complications or death. So, continually monitor for signs of alcohol overdose.

You may have to monitor the person all night!

Every year numerous college students die from alcohol overdose, including a Virginia Tech student who died September 19th, 2004 from alcohol poisoning.