Keep eyes on friends this Fling

From downing espresso shots to dousing oneself in water, there are a number of rumors circulating on the most effective way to treat a drunk.

But with Spring Fling quickly approaching, experts agree that it is important to know when friends require medical attention and the correct protocol for dealing with them.

Stephanie Ives and Kate Ward-Gaus of Penn's Office of Health Education said a student may need professional help if he or she is unable to respond to questions, vomiting without a gag reflex and exhibiting shallow or irregular breathing.

Andrew Mener, an emergency medical technician and College junior, said students should also be alarmed if they see a person choke on his or her own vomit or breathing unusually slowly.

Charles Dackis, a psychiatrist who heads Penn's O'Brien Addiction Center, said alcohol poisoning may be the cause if a person seems lethargic and sedated.

Because warning signs are not always clear-cut, Ward-Gaus and Ives say they urge students to err on the side of caution by asking for help.

Students should allow trained medical personnel to make these decisions, they said, adding that students who seek medical attention for alcohol or other drug concerns do not face University punishment.

Experts agreed that even if a person who has consumed large amounts of alcohol does not immediately seem intoxicated, that person should not be left alone.

"Stay with them to make sure they do not get worse," Mener said.

Blood-alcohol levels continue to rise after drinking, Ward-Gaus and Ives said, so students shouldn't assume that someone will be no worse off 20 or 30 minutes later.

When problems do occur over Spring Fling, precautions are already in place.

Mener said that FlingSafe monitors, police and security will patrol the Quadrangle during Spring Fling. The Penn Medical Emergency Response Team will respond to calls along with the Philadelphia Fire Department.

While students who call for medical attention will not be punished by the University, Ward-Gaus and Ives said that "interfering with a friend from getting medical attention could get you in trouble."

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