Health and Wellness Promotion

Alcohol Emergencies

In cases of an on-campus emergency, call Brandeis University Public Safety at 781-736-3333. They will send an officer and Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps (BEMCo) to assist you. BEMCo is Brandeis University's emergency medical first response service.

How to Help

Alcohol poisoning can be fatal. If someone has had too much to drink or hurt themselves while drinking, call for help immediately and stay with the person until help arrives. In cases of a potential head injury, even if the person regains consciousness, he or she must be evaluated immediately.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

A) Alert

The person is unconscious or semi conscious, or when you can't wake them up
Mental confusion; unable to answer questions coherently
Unable to walk on their own, unable to hold their head up

B) Breathing

Slow or irregular breathing; lapses in breathing
Weak pulse, or pulse is very rapid or slow

C) Cold (or clammy)

Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin

D) Doubt

The person is throwing up
The person may have hit their head
The person may have consumed other drugs
You're just not sure

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What to Do

Don't wait for a person to show these signs to call for help. If you are concerned about someone's level of impairment, safety or well being — make the call. If a person shows any of the signs of alcohol poisoning, call immediately!
While waiting for emergency transport:
- gently turn the intoxicated person on their side, and
- prevent the person from rolling onto their back or front by arranging their limbs or using a pillow. This is important to prevent aspiration (choking) should the person vomit.
- Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
- If a person appears to be "sleeping it off" it is important to realize that blood alcohol levels may continue to rise — putting the person's life in danger. Do not leave them alone.
- When in doubt — call for help!
  - On-campus call BEMCo/Brandeis Campus Police 781-736-3333
  - Off-campus call 911

What NOT To Do

Do not hesitate to call BEMCo at 781-736-3333. The person's life is in danger. Better to be safe than sorry.
Do not leave the person alone. The person may seem to be okay, but their BAL (blood alcohol level) may still be rising. (Alcohol ingested may take some time to be absorbed before peak levels are reached in the brain.)
Do not leave the person lying on their back. This is a choking hazard.
Do not try to give the person anything to eat or drink. This is a choking hazard.
Do not put the person in a cold shower. The person could fall and injure themself, or the shock could make them pass out. (Remember, an unconscious person can drown in only a couple inches of water.)

Again, if you have a life threatening emergency, call Brandeis University Police at 781-736-3333. If you need an emergency consultation after hours or on weekends, a staff member is available through our answering service at 781-239-8312.

Brandeis' Medical Amnesty Policy

Brandeis is a community of care that promotes students' health and safety. Our Medical Amnesty Policy exists to encourage students to call for help in the event of an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency.

If a friend or peer needs assistance, call Public Safety for help immediately at 781-736-3333 and remain with the student until help arrives. If you are off campus, call 911. If this happens, the Amnesty Policy will apply and neither you nor the person needing help will be referred to the student conduct process.

Learn more about the Medical Amnesty Policy in Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Local Emergency Departments

Newton-Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington St.
Newton, MA
617-243-6193
Open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week

Mount Auburn Hospital
330 Mt. Auburn St.
Cambridge, MA
617-499-5025
Open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week