Know what to do in an emergency situation, so that you can “Keep Friendship Alive.”
Do not leave a passed out friend!
About a half hour after my brother Joey ingested a drug called GHB, he collapsed against a wall at his fraternity party. His friends, not knowing any better, put him to bed to “sleep it off.”
Monitor your friend!
Irregular Breathing
Joey’s friends checked on him a couple times but not closely enough to notice that his breathing was abnormal. If your friend is breathing slow, less than 8 times per minute, or irregular with 10 or more seconds between each breath, call 9-1-1.
Unconsciousness
If your friend is either unconscious or semiconscious and cannot be wakened, call 9-1-1. A half hour after Joey 'passed out,' a friend came to check on
him. He couldn't wake Joey, but figured that nothing was seriously
wrong. He thought Joey would wake up soon and join the party.
Blue Lips / Clammy Skin / Vomiting
When another one of Joey’s friends checked on him the second time, an hour after he passed out, Joey’s lips were blue, his skin was clammy, and he wouldn’t wake up. Joey’s friend knew something was wrong, and called other friends into the room. Instead of calling 9-1-1 right away, they argued for another half
hour about what to do. “Should we call 9-1-1? But Joey would be mad! We don’t want to get in trouble, neither would he! What do we do?!” When Joey started vomiting unconsciously, a friend decided enough was enough and called 9-1-1. Precious time was wasted before
help came. Joey reached the hospital only two and a half hours after
he ingested the drug. But it was too late. Joey was dead.
Don’t be afraid of getting in trouble!
Just call 9-1-1!
No one ever thinks his or her friend will actually die. Be on the safe side and just call 9-1-1 in order to get the help your friend needs. Most universities have policies that protect students who are just trying to help their friends. Do the right thing. Call 9-1-1.
I would like to add that I do not blame my brother’s friends for Joey’s death. Joey’s best friends were my best friends. Unfortunately, they didn’t know what to do. If you just read this, you know better. Don’t make the same mistakes. “Keep Friendship Alive” by getting help.
Good links: