Bar and Nightlife Safety

Please consider these following tips when you and your friends are heading out for a night of celebration.

  • If you are staying at home. Let your friends know they can call you any time of the night if they need help or a ride.
  • Know your limits for alcohol. You are more vunerable when you don't have full use of your senses.
  • Let someone know where you are going, who you will be with and when you plan to be back. Let them know if you are going to be out later, or if your plans have changed.
  • Use a buddy system and take care of your friends. Plan for a person in the group to remain relatively sober.
  • When using an automated teller machine (ATM), be aware of your suroundings and who may be nearby.
  • Never leave your drink unattended.
  • Don't feel bad about intervening in a situation in which someone is too intoxicated to give their consent (ex. if you feel a friend is being coerced into leaving and going somewhere alone with someone).
  • Carry a cellphone with you.
  • Ensure your friends get home safe.
  • Do not accept a ride from anyone who has been drinking.
  • Ensure you have enough money (cash, debit or credit) for a cab ride home.
  • Tell a staff member of an establishment if you are being harassed or if someone is not respecting your personal boundaries (ex. trying to start a fight, won't stop touching you after repeated requests).
  • Arrange a deal with a friend to watch out for each other and to leave together in a group.

Better Safe than Sorry!

When you consume too much alcohol too fast, it acts as a poison. Sometimes if you drink too much, you pass out. This is your body's way of protecting itself from absorbing any more alcohol (If you've passed out, you're not drinking any more). But when you drink a lot really fast, you may not pass out in time, and instead can actually go into a coma and die. Alcohol poisoning is tragically common on campuses and is often associated with drinking games or buying shots or shooters for someone at a party.

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

  • Unconsciousness or "sleeping"; the person cannot be wakened.
  • Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin.
  • Slow breathing or irregular breathing
  • Vomiting while "sleeping" or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting.
  • If a person has any of these symptoms, they are likely suffering from alcohol poisoning. It is important for them to receive medical attention.

What to do:

  • Call an ambulance (Call 9-1-1).
  • Roll the person into the recovery position to prevent them from choking (see below).
  • Do not leave the person alone. Stay with them and monitor breathing until medical help arrives.

The Recovery Position:

1. Raise their arm closest to you above their head.
Prepare to roll them towards you.

2. Gently roll them towards you as one unit.
Protect their head/neck as you roll them.
Rest their head on the outstretched arm.

3. Tilt their head back to open the air way.
Tuck the top hand under the chin to keep the airway clear

4. Bend leg to support position

If a friend is passed out and "sleeping it off" there is a danger they could vomit and choke. Placing them in the recovery position will help to ensure that if they do vomit, they will not choke. If the person cannot be roused at all, or if you are in doubt about their safety, call an ambulance, as acute alcohol poisoning may be occurring. This can be fatal if medical attention is not obtained. Call 9-1-1.