Consuming large amounts of alcohol might seem fun, but it can be life-threatening. Drinking too much up to the point of blacking out is an indication of alcohol poisoning which involves a deadly ingestion of alcohol that is quite easy to achieve.
It is important to note that alcohol does not absorb at the same rate all the time whether the individual has an empty stomach or not. Even if the individual already stopped drinking, the level of alcohol in the body continues to rise.
Indications of alcohol poisoning
If a drunken individual is confused or complains of nausea, he/she is at risk. Remember that it is not enough to take him/her home. A sober individual must stay nearby so that you can see if his/her condition becomes worse.
Call for emergency assistance right away if an intoxicated individual has any of the following symptoms:
- Seizures
- Cyanosis
- Erratic or slow breathing
- Low body temperature
If a drunken individual is confused or complains of nausea, he/she is at risk. - Uncontrollable vomiting
- Passing out or could not wake up
Treatment for alcohol poisoning
The best way for an individual to sober up is through time. Calling for emergency assistance or bringing the individual to the nearest hospital is the safe way to properly manage alcohol poisoning.
A viral first aid measure for alcohol poisoning after calling for emergency assistance is to make sure that the individual is safe until the medical team arrives. You have to protect the individual from choking on his/her vomit.
Recovery position
The recovery position is the suitable treatment for unresponsive individuals and it is simple to learn. All you have to do is put the unconscious individual on his/her side in case of vomiting. This will ensure that he/she will not choke to death.
In a study conducted, the ideal position is face down rather than on the back or side. Individuals who are positioned on their back or on their sides tend to suck up more stomach contents than the face-down position. Those who were awake enough to sit up a little were able to do better.
If you are going to position the individual to allow the airway to drain, you have to go all the way. Remember that it is not enough to turn the head of the victim to the side. You have to actually roll him/her over so that anything that bubbles up from the gut will not slide to the rear of the throat and down into the lungs.