Drinking and Unofficial go hand in hand. However, overindulging may lead to dangerous situations, especially alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning occurs when blood alcohol content, or BAC, reaches a certain level that can be calculated based on the person’s gender, weight, and number of drinks. To prevent yourself and your friends from alcohol poisoning, here is a list of information and tips to remember.

• Watch out for symptoms including confusion, loss of coordination or trouble walking. “Some of the symptoms that we can focus on more often are vomiting, unconsciousness, pale or bluish skin, creamy skin,” Elora Orazio, specialist in education from the University Counseling Center, said. Orazio also mentioned to look for seizures, low body temperature, slow breathing and unresponsiveness.
• The University Medical Amnesty policy protects students from facing legal consequences if they call 911 for someone who is in danger of alcohol poisoning. “One of the biggest myths we are trying to expel is that students think, ‘Oh, I can’t call the police for my friend who is vomiting or something like that because we are all gonna get trouble for drinking.’ Because that’s not true,” UIPD Spokesman Patrick Wade said.
• Stay with your friends, even after calling 911. “Stay with the person who needs assistance, keep talking to them if they are conscious. You want to make sure they are breathing properly, monitoring them,” Orazio said.
• Last year, 21 individuals were hospitalized for alcohol-related issues. The medical personnel responded to 28 calls for service, as stated in “Unofficial 2016 Statistics” report released by the Champaign Police Department.
• Drinking a smaller quantity of alcohol or drinking less rapidly helps prevent alcohol poisoning. “Alternating with water, eating before going out, potentially bringing limited amount of money if you are going to be purchasing for alcohol,” Orazio said.

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