What to do in an emergency
In an emergency if you encounter someone who is suffering from drug misuse. The first things you should do are:
- Stay calm
- Calm them and be reassuring
- Try to find out what drug they have taken
- Stay with them
Always
- Sit them in a quiet and calm room
- Keep them awake
- Keep them away from crowds, bright lights and loud noises
- Encourage them to take slow deep breaths
- Stay with them
- If they don’t respond or become unconscious call an ambulance immediately and place them in the recovery position
- If they are unconscious when you find them immediately phone for an ambulance, and place them into the recovery position
- Stay with them until the ambulance arrives
- If you know what drug has been taken tell the paramedics, this will ensure that the right treatment is given straight away
Useful websites
www.talktofrank.com – on home page click on emergency help
www.britishredcross.org.uk
www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/Everyday-First-Aid/Unconscious-and-breathing provides a DVD clip to show how to place someone in the recovery position.