Essential first aid

If someone loses consciousness after drinking too much (e.g. they do not respond on calling their name or applying pressure to their earlobe), here's what to do:

• Don’t panic
• Make sure they're breathing – by lifting their chin and listening close to the nose and mouth and by looking for chest movement
• Make sure their mouth and airways are clear of obstructions
• Loosen any tight clothing that might restrict their breathing
• Place the person on their side in the recovery position
• Call for an ambulance (111) – don’t delay and do this as soon as possible – informing 111 that the person is unconscious and having trouble breathing
• Stay with them until the ambulance arrives
• Protect them from cold (but not making it too hot) with blankets or a coat
• If they do stop breathing in the meantime, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation may be needed (check whether anyone nearby has had training in giving this).

If someone vomits you should:

• Try to keep them sitting up
• If they must lie down, make sure they're in the recovery position
• If they begin to choke, get help immediately.

Alcohol poisoning is extremely dangerous. It can lead to coma and in extreme cases, death. The amount of alcohol it takes to cause alcohol poisoning depends on many factors, including size, weight, age and so on. Teenagers and inexperienced drinkers are particularly vulnerable.

Someone may have alcohol poisoning if: 

• they are breathing less than twelve times a minute or stop breathing for periods of ten seconds or more
• they're asleep and you can't wake them up
• their skin is cold, clammy, pale and bluish in colour. 

If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, treat it as a medical emergency. Call 111 for an ambulance. Stay with the person until help arrives.