About a month ago, Robert applied for a position as a bouncer at one of the nearby discos. He was a personal trainer; he was into health foods and healthy eating; he took daily vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients; he studied karate, gatka, ninjitsu, aikido, and judo for six-and-a-half years; and he seemed well suited for such a position. What is more, Robert was so concerned about his health and his fitness, that he started drinking responsibly and in moderation around two-and-a-half years ago and then quit drinking alcoholic beverages cold turkey roughly four-and-a-half months ago.
One afternoon when Robert went to get his mail, he was pleasantly surprised to see an envelope that was from the club he had applied to. When he opened the letter, he was even more delighted to find out that he was picked for the bouncer position. Since this was an elite nightclub, nevertheless, he was instructed that he was required to go to a twelve-day instructional class that started the following Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM.
On the first day of training, after the class introductions, the trainer immediately started talking about people who drink in an excessive and hazardous manner and exactly what the bartenders, barmaids, and bouncers can do when these situations happen. When the teacher began talking about "problem situations," the first issue he mentioned was alcohol poisoning. As soon as Robert heard this he was relieved because this was one of the problem areas he felt he needed to learn about.
As the teacher stressed to all of the new bouncers, bartenders, and barmaids, vomiting and nausea were commonly the first symptoms or signs manifested by an individual who is suffering from alcohol poisoning. The trainer also made it a point to say that unconsciousness was perhaps the most easily identifiable alcohol overdose sign or symptom. The instructor also highlighted the fact that alcohol poisoning symptoms and signs were messages from the brain and from the body that the individual drank more alcohol that his or her liver can metabolize.
There were several other alcohol poisoning signs and symptoms that all of the new bouncers, barmaids, and bartenders were taught to identify. For example, all the new employees were made aware that individuals with an alcohol overdose commonly exhibit erratic behavior, poor reflexes and confusion; they suffer from seizures; they are difficult to awaken once they pass out or fall asleep; and they often pass out.
The members of the class also learned that many people who experience an alcohol overdose also exhibit slurred speech; they display blue tinged or pale skin; they manifest little response from painful stimuli, for example from pinching; they display shallow, slow, or irregular breathing; they manifest an inability to make eye contact or sustain a conversation; and they typically feel quite ill and suffer from excessive vomiting.
The instructor then pointed out the fact that alcohol addicted people are not the only ones who suffer through alcohol poisoning. Stated more precisely, the teacher stressed the fact that alcohol abusers and binge drinkers, along with people who are dependent on alcohol, can also suffer from an alcohol overdose. The trainer then defined binge drinking as follows: ingesting five or more alcoholic beverages during one occasion for males and drinking four or more alcoholic beverages during one occasion for females.
To underscore the consequences that binge drinking has on an alcohol overdose, the instructor informed the new bartenders, bouncers, and barmaids that an individual who gets drunk as a skunk just one or two times annually is still an alcohol abuser. Even though it is improbable that this person is addicted to alcohol, it is highly likely that he or she has engaged in binge drinking. As asserted by the lecturer, involving oneself in binge drinking even once, unfortunately, can lead to an alcohol overdose that in rare situations can be lethal.
The lecturer then informed the new bartenders, bouncers, and barmaids that the best and most correct response for an alcohol overdose is the following: if it is believed that a drinker has alcohol poisoning, dial 911 and ask for immediate medical assistance. By taking this plan of action, the person will get the quality alcohol poisoning treatment he or she requires.
After getting extensive training about alcohol overdose symptoms and signs in particular, about alcohol poisoning in general, and learning about the "proper" response for this medical crisis, Robert felt that he had learned some invaluable information that one of these days might save a person's life. After his comprehensive training, moreover, Robert was grateful for everything he had learned and he truly felt a sense of camaraderie with the other bartenders, bouncers, and barmaids with whom he would be working.
More Information:
Categories
