From: "Kontac" Newsgroups: alt.drugs.hard Subject: Re: heroin od..how to deal Date: 20 Sep 1998 06:58:48 GMT Oh my god I hope I never O.D near a refrigerator and your about. No milk won't help but it will surely finish the dood off properly. there seems to be some popular urban myths about over doses and how to treat them. First and foremost ring an ambulance. The signs of overdose are 1. Unresponsive to painful stimuli ( a poke in the chest or pinch) 2. Breathing laboured and shallow often accompanied with breathing noises like gurgling and choking sounds (death rattle) 3. Pallid colour, patient looks pale and feels cool to touch (cool as against cold and blue, which will follow commonly called death) If you find someone in this position first try to rouse them. If unsuccessful check there pulse and breathing. If they have a pulse and are not breathing commence resuscitation immediately as the brain will be servely damaged after 3min with no oxygen. If this happens the person if they survive will be permanently damaged and will probably not thank you for saving them. Resuscitation IS NOT cardiac massage resus is merely breathing for the person and full CPR should only be done if there is NO PULSE. A easy check to see if someone is breathing is place a glass in front of there mouth you will see it steam usually if they are breathing. So if you see someone O.D and they are breathing and have pulse what then. You place the patient in the recovery position which is on there side with one leg bent at the knee and airway clear but it is still wise to call an ambulance as the full effect of the drug might have not taken effect and they will need to be monitored closely as breathing may labour at a later time. If it is a mild O.D and the person is able to be woken and is coherent keep them awake and stay with them till they can look after themselves which could be a matter of hours. Never leave someone in this state and never think twice to call an ambulance. The Ambulance service is not the police and will not call them unless they feel there own safety is in jeopardy or someone has died. If you don't call the ambulance you can guarantee the police will be involved. When they arrive tell them exactly what the person has consumed if in doubt have the pill bottles or substance on hand if you don't know what it is. It is however a good idea to tidy up a bit and clean up fits and things. Myths about O.D include the milk injection also hitting up salt water or hitting up just plain water none will help at all. There is one thing that will help and I advise all frequent using narcotic addicts to get an ampoule of Narcan which is naloxone HCL 0.4mg/ml for I.V, I.M, or S.C use. However if you revive someone using it be aware that they may need repeat doses as the narcotic maybe stronger and they can go back over once the antagonist (narcan) has worn off. If you approach a sympathetic doc he may supply you with some once he is made aware of the purpose. It does cost a bit but it can save yours or a mates life. And is a much better solution than dumping someone in a phone box or the neighboring park.