Drug overdose: what should you do?

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Multiple Choice

Drug overdose: what should you do?

When a drug overdose could be life-threatening, the priority is to get professional help immediately and be prepared to provide life-saving care. Have someone call emergency services now and get an automated external defibrillator if available, because overdose can worsen quickly and may lead to cardiac arrest. Time is critical, so don’t wait to see if symptoms improve, and don’t give fluids or other substances by mouth if the person is unconscious or trouble breathing. If the person becomes unresponsive or stops breathing normally, begin CPR with chest compressions and, if you’re trained, provide rescue breaths while the AED is brought to the scene and ready to use. The goal is to support circulation and breathing until responders take over.

When a drug overdose could be life-threatening, the priority is to get professional help immediately and be prepared to provide life-saving care. Have someone call emergency services now and get an automated external defibrillator if available, because overdose can worsen quickly and may lead to cardiac arrest. Time is critical, so don’t wait to see if symptoms improve, and don’t give fluids or other substances by mouth if the person is unconscious or trouble breathing. If the person becomes unresponsive or stops breathing normally, begin CPR with chest compressions and, if you’re trained, provide rescue breaths while the AED is brought to the scene and ready to use. The goal is to support circulation and breathing until responders take over.

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