For immediate medical assistance call 314-935-5555 for on-campus help, or 911 from off campus.
Immediate medical assistance is necessary if the person is:
- No longer breathing or does not have a pulse
- Having difficulty breathing (choking, wheezing, or rasping)
- Breathing irregularly (less than 6x per minute, more than 20x per minute)
- Unconscious or semiconscious, unable to “wake up”
- Shaking, or having convulsions or seizures
- Foaming at the mouth
- Complaining of pressure or tightness in the chest
- Feverish or having the “chills”
- Cold or clammy to the touch
- Pale or bluish in skin tone
- Unable to stand, walk, or speak without difficulty
- Vomiting while passed out
- Unable to control their bodily functions
- Injured, violent, or threatening
- Paranoid, confused, or disoriented to person, place, and time
- At risk of hurting him/herself or others
If you think or wonder if you should call 911/EST, call. Do not hesitate.
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| Continue to monitor them for the above symptoms—it is helpful to enlist the help of friends who can take turns checking up on the person every 30-60 minutes throughout the evening | Don’t give the person any food or liquid (including water) if the person is vomiting or nauseated |
| Place the person in bed, lying on his/her side | Don’t give the person anything to help them sober up (including aspirin, coffee, tea, soda or a cold shower) |
| Leave the person’s door open so others can hear sounds of distress | Don’t induce vomiting |
| Stay with a person who is vomiting to prevent choking | Don’t suggest walking, running, or any other form of exercise |
| Find out what substances the person has taken so you can give this information to medical professionals if necessary | Don’t attempt to restrain or argue with an intoxicated person |
| Be aware that the person may act unpredictably—remember, your safety is your first priority | Don’t keep the person awake |