When we drink, we lose aspects of our coordination and judgment. Therefore, things that we normally wouldn’t do may seem like a good idea. Also, acts and movements that normally wouldn’t be difficult, may nearly be impossible. Because of these factors, many people face alcohol related injuries. These injuries can range in seriousness, from tripping and falling to facing a drunk driving accident. Depending on the accident, these alcohol related injuries can be very serious. So, it’s important to know what to do if someone you know faces one.
Alcohol Related Injuries: Avoid Drinking Misshaps
How to Avoid Them
One of the best ways to deal with alcohol related injuries is to avoid them altogether. While that may seem simple, when you begin drinking, it becomes much harder to do.
First, you want to avoid engaging in dangerous activities when you begin drinking. For instance, the most obvious rule is to not drink and drive a vehicle. Even if you think you’re sober enough to drive, it’s best to not risk facing these alcohol related injuries.
In addition to drinking, try to avoid operating any of kind of machinery when drinking. So, stay away from mopeds, golf carts, and ATV’s. Also, there are other activities that may seem harmless but become dangerous when drinking. For instance, swimming or playing sports can quickly lead to serious alcohol related injuries.
Second, you want to look out for friends that have a tendency to become reckless when they drink. In order to avoid alcohol related injuries, it’s best to make sure someone in your group stays sober. Then, that person should look out for the group to watch for unsafe actions. Some accidents are not avoidable but others are easy to prevent when you have a sober mind in the group.
First Aid Tips for Dealing with Them
First, if you are at the scene of an accident, call for help. If you see someone facing serious alcohol related injuries, it’s best to seek medical attention right way. Even if the person seems okay in the moment, they may internal injuries like a concussion. So, it’s still best to let a doctor check them out to ensure everything is okay.
Second, place a person that is breathing in a recovery position. In some cases of alcohol related injuries, even a fall can knock a person out. If this happens, you want to check to see if they are breathing. If yes, then place them in a recovery position. When doing this, lay them on their side, with the arm closest to the floor facing palm up. Place their other arm folded upward over the arm on the floor. Then, bend their top leg to a right angle position. By doing this, you can help keep their airways open to increase better breathing.
Next, if the person is bleeding be sure to apply pressure to the wound. When doing this, make sure to use a clean cloth to apply to the wound in order to avoid an infection. Since some people go into shock with pain or blood, lay them on the floor and support the injury. Then, be sure to examine the wound and determine whether they should see a doctor for stitches or staples.
Seek Medical Help
In short, the most important thing when dealing with alcohol related injuries is to seek medical help. At the time, it can be difficult to know whether someone is truly okay. Because of intoxication, they may not be aware or be able to tell you what they are feeling. Some injuries can be serious even though they are not obvious. So, it’s important to let a doctor examine them for alcohol related injuries after facing a fall or other accident.
