What to do when a guest has had too much to drink

Teach: What to do when a guest has had too much to drink

What to say

When a guest has had too much to drink, stop serving them alcohol, offer water, keep them away from stairs, pools and car keys, and never leave them alone to sleep it off. Call your local emergency number, 911 in the US, if they cannot be woken, breathe slowly or irregularly, have bluish or cold, clammy skin, have a seizure, are confused, or keep vomiting.

What to show, in order

1. Stop offering alcohol, and offer water and some food only if they are fully awake and can swallow normally.
2. Take their car keys and arrange a ride home or a place to stay.
3. Keep them away from stairs, pools, balconies and the grill.
4. Stay with them; do not leave them alone in a room to sleep it off.
5. Lay them on their side, not their back, if they are drowsy, so vomit can drain instead of blocking the airway.
6. Call your local emergency number, 911 in the US, for any danger sign: cannot be woken, slow or irregular breathing, bluish or cold skin, a seizure, confusion, or repeated vomiting.
7. Tell the dispatcher what and how much they drank and anything else they may have taken.

When to stop and call a professional

• They cannot be woken, their breathing is slow, irregular or has pauses, their skin is bluish or cold and clammy, they have a seizure, they are confused, or they keep vomiting: call your local emergency number, 911 in the US, right away; do not wait for every sign.
• You think they also took pills or other drugs: call 911 or poison control, 1-800-222-1222, and say so.
• Take a certified class in first aid: this page lists danger signs, it does not train you in the recovery position.

The check question

Ask: A drunk guest falls asleep and snores loudly with slow breathing. What should you do? Answer: Stay with them, check breathing and call 911 if it is slow or irregular

From EveryManSkills. General information, not professional advice.