Setting the scene
Hard to Wake Means Act: emergencies lesson
Real moments. A few choices. Words that work.
Call 911 immediately if someone is hard to wake or breathing strangely, and stay with them. Practice the moment in a short Surefoot lesson.
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You are in a dorm room with your friend Sam after a party. He drank a lot earlier and has been lying on the futon for a while.
You try to wake Sam up to see if he wants to go to bed, but he only mumbles weakly and will not open his eyes. His breathing seems slow and uneven.
What is the safest next step?
- Call 911 immediately and stay by his side.
- Give him a cold shower or some coffee to help him wake up.
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Call 911 immediately and stay by his side.
Difficulty waking and abnormal breathing are signs of a possible alcohol overdose. Do not wait for every symptom to appear, and never assume someone can just sleep it off. Home remedies like coffee or cold showers will not reverse an overdose. Call 911 immediately, tell the dispatcher your location and what you observe, and stay with your friend until medical help arrives.
Your next step
Call 911 immediately if someone is hard to wake or breathing strangely, and stay with them.
Words you can use
“Call 911. They're hard to wake.”
Sources: NIH / NIAAA, NIH / NIAAA