Juniata is a wet campus; that is no secret. Consuming too much alcohol can create dangerous situations. To know how to better handle such situations, I spoke with a Juniata student certified in basic Emergency Medical Service (EMS). EMS Chief Camron Keshavarz `11 explains further:

What is the best way to deal with someone who is very drunk but still conscious?
There are factors here that you have to consider such as how much they have had. If they are very drunk and falling down, have them sit somewhere where they will not hurt themselves.

What about dealing with a person who has blacked out?
If they have thrown up, then that is a good sign. When you drink a lot, your body has become dehydrated. It is your body’s way of saying that you need water. If you have a friend who has blacked out, you have to make a judgment call (on whether or not to call an ambulance). My advice is to err on the side of caution. If you do not feel comfortable, then you should call 911. There is no harm in being too cautious.

What is your job as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) when you are called to deal with someone who has alcohol poisoning?
I have to assess the situation to see whether or not they need help. If they can answer basic questions like what time it is or who the president is, then they have the right to refuse care. If they cannot answer the questions and are a danger to themselves, then they will need to go to the hospital.

Do you think it would be beneficial to teach freshman basic first aid for dealing with intoxicated friends?
Learning first aid never hurts. The issue is that if you throw someone into a first aid course without a genuine interest in it, they will only take away half of what they should learn. I would recommend freshmen take a first aid course, but I do not think it should be required.

-Aaron Adams ’12, Juniata Online Journalist